The
beautiful
craftsmanship
and decor...
at
Pension~Anna
Leavenworth
at Christmas
December 30,
2003
A
chilly-willy
day here!
What a
blessing to
have lots of
wood for the
stove---our
source of
heat in this
old
farmhouse!
New stuff in
the news...
Tim Eyman's
in the news
again.
Some folks
around here
have a
different
name for the
man---I
cannot print
here.
This time
he's going
for the
property
tax... a 25%
reduction
which would
surely
benefit
seniors [in
their own
no-mortgage
homes]
somewhat but
wouldn't
really
benefit
others
insomuch as
the
reduction in
prop tax
would mean
less of a
deduction in
income tax,
plus a
reduction in
local
services we
all need.
Well--*I*
didn't
*need* that
personal
police [dis]service
*I* received
last month!
However, I'm
still
thankful for
Police and
Fire
here-----so
a reduction
in Prop tax?
I'm not so
sure it's
necessarily
an
across-the-board
answer.
Well, if Tim
Eyman
doesn't
raise your
bloodpressure,
maybe
ephedra
does! And,
if you're
going to get
a kick-start
for your
diet, I
guess you're
just going
to have to
eliminate
BSF foods
or
low carb
instead of
using
ephedra!
Early next
year, the
supplement
will be
banned---in
fact,
consumers
are being
urged to
immediately
stop using
the herbal
weight
control
supplement
now!
There's just
enough time
for everyone
to ransack
the stores
in order to
keep New
Year's
resolutions.
Since most
New Year's
resolutions
only last a
matter of
days... and
the ban will
take effect
some 60 days
after the
announcement---it'll
coincide
with the
total loss
of New
Year's
resolution
commitments...
'course,
folks may
have a few
days of
residual
left in the
bloodstream
and bottles
of the pills
stashed
away.
We're doing
some
year-end/new
year
cleaning-sorting-reorganizing-painting
and bedroom
shifting
around here!
The boys are
switching
rooms with
the girls.
So....instead
of progress,
it looks
like a real
mess---and
no light at
the end of
the tunnel
yet---but,
we've
traveled
this road
lots of
times and
so, if the LORD
tarries,
we'll have
this
situation
all taken
care on in
the next few
days.
It's time to
go through
all the
clothes,
books and
toys.
Well, not so
many toys
(by
choice!!!)
but, way too
many clothes
and
books---well,
maybe not
too many
books!
When 11
people love
books...
We love to
get a fresh
start at the
new year and
so we do
this pretty
much every
year.
This way,
the children
end up with
very clean
rooms and a
new view
from time to
time!
Our boys
have had the
room they're
going into,
but the
girls have
never had
the 'front'
bedroom
yet---so,
now they'll
have the
sunrise
side!
In the
background I
have a
beautiful
new CD
playing...
we went to
the
Legacy Five
southern
gospel music
concert last
night!
What a
blessing to
us all!
Roger
Bennett was
a bit late
so we
enjoyed the
waiting for
him and the
updates he
was sending
by phone
[during the
concert] as
his plane
landed at
Sea-Tac and
throughout
his cab ride
north to the
location of
the concert.
Roger was in
Houston to
see a
specialist
in
preparation
of bone
marrow
transplant.
You can read
an
update on
his
condition
and
situation.
We really
love the
music and
the message
this group
brings.
December
29, 2003
Ahhhh....
the last
week of
2003.
Amazing!
Lots of
things have
happened in
the last few
days!
We did go to
Leavenworth---a
quaint
Bavarian
town nestled
in the
Cascade
mountains.
It was so
lovely;
beautiful
shops all
lit up with
strings of
brightly coloured
lights,
icicle
lights and
stars,
greenery and
garlands
entwined
with tiny
white lights
framing
nearly every
doorway and
then, the
reds and
greens of
ornaments,
nutcrackers,
bells,
clocks and
dishware---from
teacups to
carvings,
the shops
were
overflowing
with special
things for
everyone.
It was quite
cold and so
all the
people were
bundled up
and the snow
continued to
give a light
dusting
everywhere.
It was snowy
going over
the
Pass---compact
snow and
ice---but
our son's
car was
suited just
right for
the driving.
We sure
enjoyed
it---I think
Wes loved
riding along
watching a
movie---I
add this,
because,
those of you
who know the
condition of
our family
van (In
addition to
several
problems,
the van is
very old,
leaks, no
heater...)
would not be
able to make
such a trip.
I'm sure our
son and
daughter-in-law
appreciate
their
cars/things
*much* more,
now that
they've had
the
experience
of driving
ours!
Anyway...
what a treat
to drive
such a nice
vehicle and
stay in such
a beautiful
place.
We loved the
whole
adventure!
While we
enjoyed the
time away, I
sure missed
the
children----but!
our children
were being
treated to a
day in
Seattle at
Pike Place
Market and a
day at other
shops and
thrift
stores where
they made
several
purchases.
I'd made
some
requests of
things to
*not*
purchase---and
they did
very
well---oh,
except for
the fake
cigar with
talc in the
end to blow
out like
smoke.
Gasp.
You know,
our
daughter-in-law
was pretty
embarrassed
when a
woman, who'd
just seen a
few of the
children go
out to the
van, walked
into the
store and
asked Tara
if she was
the one
driving the
van, and
when Tara
replied
that, yes,
she was...
the woman
exclaimed
that one of
her children
was sitting
in the van
smoking a
cigar. Ohmy... poor
Tara. She
explained to
the woman
that the
cigar had
been bought
at the
dollar
store----I
don't know
what the
woman
must've
thought.
Fortunately,
Tara's a
quick wit
and blew it
off (no pun
intended).
Pictures
tomorrow...
I'll get
them resized
for the
blog!
Blessings to
you and mama
if you're
reading
this... i
love you.
We'll go to
a Southern
Gospel
concert---one
of our
favourite
groups,
Legacy Five,
will be
performing.
We're
grateful for
their
testimony.
We pray for
the health
of Roger
Bennett,
who's had
leukemia for
ten years.
You can read
an
update on
him and
his
situation.
Wes received
a phone call
today from
the promoter
of the
program who
called
asking that
our children
take tickets
at the door
and they'll
have an
opportunity
to talk with
the members
of the
group. Roger
Bennett has
a most
beautiful
style
playing the
piano---our
daughter has
thoroughly
enjoyed his
books.
So... this
is a
blessing and
a happy
opportunity.
December
26, 2003
Our son and
daughter-in-law
gave us a
special gift
for
Christmas---a
stay at a
bed-and-breakfast
in
Leavenworth
and the care
of all of
our
children!
Now, isn't
that a sweet
and
thoughtful
gift?!?!
I was
thinking of
my parents
who are
suffering in
southern
California...
~wink~ and
their dinner
on the Queen
Mary---well,
this isn't
quite what
they're
doing but so
nice!
Our sweet
Naomi loved
her new
dolls from
grandmother...
She opened a
couple of
her
birthday
gifts this
morning and
a couple
this
evening.
She was a
little sad
that friends
couldn't
come for her
birthday---I
think it's
the first
time she's
realized
that a
Christmas
birthday has
a bit of a
bittersweet
side---but
in her
tears, we
tried to
show her
tender-loving-care
and some
special
treatment.
Funny... I
was thinking
about this a
lot----thinking
that the
LORD Jesus:
whose birth
we [say we]
celebrate
comes at a
time when
people are
just too
busy to
remember
Him---or
don't know
Him at all.
I'll explain
this to
Naomi along
the way and
perhaps
she'll avoid
the trap
I've failed
to avoid
over the
years and
just love
the
celebration
for what it
is and not
for what it
"ought to
be" or
should've or
could've
been.
Early
Christmas &
Birthday
morning 2003
December 25,
2003
It's a happy
Christmas
Day---the
day we
celebrate
the birth of
our LORD and
Saviour,
Jesus
Christ.
We know that
there are
many myths,
many
traditions,
many pagan
aspects to
this
particular
day... and
we quickly
acknowledge
the faults
or
disparities
in joining
in the
celebrations
of the world
or taking
part in
pagan
rituals---but
none of
those things
alter the
fact that
Jesus was
born of a
virgin, God
incarnate,
and that
there is no
other Name
given among
men by which
we must be
saved.
We celebrate
the birth of
our LORD, we
celebrate
the gift of
salvation
that was
ordained of
God through
His only
begotten
Son, that
whosoever
believes on
Him may be
saved.
He is no
respecter of
persons and
He cannot
lie.
His is our
All in All.
This is what
we celebrate
today.
It never was
about a time
of rushing,
or fretting
over gifts
or
disappointment
or a tree or
right
clothing...
it never was
about all
these things
that trip us
and trap us.
Every year I
feel the
gripping of
the
trap---and
every year
on this
morning I
feel relief
that it's
'over.' The
freedom to
just worship
the
LORD---to
thank Him
for the
unspeakable
gift of His
Son, our
salvation,
our Rock and
Redeemer---THIS
is
Christmas---This
is Peace.
Ahhhh sweet
peace in our
Saviour.
|
In our home,
on this day
we celebrate
not only the
birth of our
LORD Jesus,
but we
celebrate
our little
Naomi's
birthday as
well.
Our little
Christmas
gift that
God uses
continually
to bless us.
Our little
Naomi is so
precious to
us---because
of partial
deafness,
she's
opening a
whole new
world to us,
a whole new
understanding
and
compassion---and
because of
her
deafness, we
hear in a
whole new
way... we
are learning
to hear with
our eyes,
we're
learning to
hear with
our hearts.
So, in our
home again
this year,
we say
praise to
Jesus,
praise to
the LORD for
the gift of
our dear
little
Naomi---born
on Christmas
Day. |
December
23, 2003
I
love this
poem... it's
precious to
read,
precious to
hear. You
can hear "A
Cup of
Christmas
Tea"
told by the
author, Tom
Hegg.
Do you have
time for tea
today?
December
22, 2003
Off and
running to
begin
another fun
packed week!
More cooking
today---this
kitchen's
becoming a
carbohydrate
explosion---I
think there
are so many
carbs in the
air that it
won't matter
that I'm
trying to
avoid
them...I
think I've
just begun
taking in
carbs by
osmosis.
However,
still no
weight gain
from any
sampling
I've done...
but I'm not
pushing it!
I'm
refraining
from eating
Mary's
recipe for
'butterfingers'
candy.
I made about
a bazillion
of these
last night.
Ingredients
are
Cheese-It's,
peanut
butter, and
chocolate
bark.
I spread the
peanut
butter
between the
Cheese-It's--then
put them in
the fridge
to get cold.
Then using a
half package
of 'bark' at
a time, I
melted the
bark in a
bowl in the
microwave (2
mins) and
then using a
fork to turn
them the
bowl, I
began
coating the
little
'sandwiches'
and setting
them on
sprayed
foil-lined
baking
sheets.
I did
something
like 300 of
them using
two packages
of bark.
I tasted
half of one
and decided
that that
was going to
need to be
my last
taste.
A pan-full
would be the
desire...
I made
peanut
brittle, too
and I had a
bunch of
smiling
faces as I
began to
crack the
brittle into
pieces in
each pan.
I thought
I'd be
standing
there
stirring
forever...
here's my
tip: be sure
you have
your
candy-thermometer
out and if
it's a glass
one, make
sure it's
not broken
*before* you
start
boiling the
butter-sugar
mixture!
I remembered
half way
through that
I might have
another old
thermometer
in the
drawer...
sure enough,
I did!
Sometime in
this past
year, the
glass one
cracked (uh,
in the
drawer) the
glass on the
very end is
cracked and
some's
missing.
The shape of
this
thermometer
is like that
of a 12"
long
drumstick.
I never
*saw* the
counter
being used
as a drum...
nor this
drumstick...
O...would
you please
take a few
minutes to
vote in a
poll~
The American
Family
Association
has been
taking an
online poll
on whether
homosexual
marriages
should be
recognized,
at
www.marriagepoll.com
you can vote
today!
So far, the
results
don't look
too
favourable
(in my
eyes).
You'll
see by the
results of
the polls,
that
Christians
aren't the
only ones
voting.
The enemy's
sly.
O... the
enemy is as
a roaring
lion... he's
prowling
about
seeking whom
he may
devour.
We know
that: we
wrestle not
against
flesh and
blood, but
against
principalities,
against
powers,
against the
rulers of
the
darkness of
this world,
against
spiritual
wickedness
in high
places.
(Eph. 6.12)
December
21, 2003
God Bless
you, this LORD's
Day!
Take a look
around...
greet
someone
who's
alone...
seek to be a
blessing!
Our
daughters in
the Deaf
Choir
Christmas
program
More next
week.
December
20, 2003
Here's a
sweet
Christmas
story.
My husband
sent it to
my
computer...
think you'll
enjoy it.
As always...
there's a
lot going on
in the news!
Christmastime
sparks the
annual
barrage
against
Christianity
and things
'sacred' to
us.
Sacred
being, the LORD
Jesus and
our worship
of Him.
Other things
would be:
the
nativity,
the cross,
etc. or
public
expressions
of faith.
I often
think: are
we doing for
the Truth
what the
enemy is
doing for a
lie?
From local
news to
world news
and current
events,
there are so
many things
going on
that it's
hard to keep
track of
them all.
There are
sites to
keep you
up-to-date
on the
latest news
concerning
our
'religious'
freedom; one such
site is
Alliance
Defense Fund.
I receive a
newsletter
from Norma
that's been
immensely
helpful!
She's
continually
coming out
with helpful
ideas and
encouragement
for healthy
eating and
healthy
living---all
these in
Healthy
Truths!!
You can
subscribe to
receives
these
invaluable
letters!
December 19,
2003
Went
caroling
last night!
We live in
an old town
with neat
old houses
and streets.
What a
blessing it
was to walk
the
sidewalks
singing in
front of
various
homes.
Some people
came out,
some stayed
in, they all
seemed
genuinely
grateful for
the singing.
A couple of
guys, in
particular,
who were
obviously
working
inside
remodeling
an historic
old home,
stopped what
they were
doing to
came out and
sit on the
porch steps
to listen.
It was
impressive
to think
that we had
the
privilege
and the
freedom to
do this---in
many other
countries of
the world
this would
not be
possible,
and so, once
again we
praised the
LORD for His
mercy and
the
opportunities
we have to
share and
praise Him
openly and
to spread
the gospel.
December 18, 2003
One of the great blessings of the
internet is all the unique friends and
websites there are to meet and see!
I do praise the LORD for the blessings
He's afforded us through internet.
I know I'll always be grateful that my
friend, Kelli, *just so happened* to be
looking for a Bible study when I used to
publish a daily Bible study and she
*stumbled* [Providence] across my list. O, was
that ever of the LORD as there have been
so many marvelous talks and blessings
because she took time to contact me and
ask questions---further, that she took the chance
or the risk come visit our family---what
a blessing that was. She visited
at a time I was feeling sick (which I so
regret!) and was in such need of
encouragement: she was it, just what
I/we needed! She's added a special
dimension to our lives.
Then, there are those who subscribe to
TheWelcomeHome letters and sometimes I
happen to see a subscriber list and take
the opportunity to visit their sites. I
don't always see who's signed up or
who's still subscribing---it's probably
best that way because as it is I just
write as the LORD inspires and not to a
specific person or group.
Well anyway, seeing the url's on
subscribers addresses sometimes sparks
my interest---especially when a name is
particularly unique... one such visit was one I made
last night and was so interested in her
site---especially her page on Soap making!!! Well, it's
great:
Thyme For Ewe---what a neat site &
family!
December 17, 2003
Well, it sure doesn't look like anyone's
low-carbing here! My kitchen
sideboard looks like carbohydrate
headquarters! All the
ingredients for brittle, fudge,
divinity, bar cookies, rolled cookies,
pies, and Christmas cakes! It was
cheaper \/
for Wes to go out and do the shopping,
so he came back with all the supplies
for Christmas baking. Now... this
is one of the ways we celebrate---making
treats and sharing them is a way we
demonstrate love to our family and
friends. For one thing, we
generally have very little contact with
our neighbors... that's the drawback to
living in the rural/farming area of our
town. It's a blessing, though,
too: the space and view! Anyway...
through the year we bake treats and give
to our neighbor, but at Christmastime we
like to really do something extra.
So... how's it going to go---low-carbing
at Christmas? My first goal is NO
weight-gain---if I lose, that will be a
real bonus! No weight-gain
is my strong conviction! I've been
able to maintain this weight-loss
through this fall and yet(!) I have
tasted a few of the things we've made.
I just can't go and have a piece of pie
or the treats I used to freely
eat---it's not worth it to me anymore.
I never want to live in or travel in
that territory on the scale ever again!
I'm still driving ever so carefully...
Now there's no small stir in the
controversy over what should be done
with saddam hussein! I wonder how
long he'll persist in telling his
captors that Iraq disposed of its
weapons long ago, or that he knows
nothing of (missing Navy pilot) Michael
Speicher or that Iraq has no ties to Al
Qaeda. It'll be interesting to see
how this all plays out---who's taking
orders from whom and how long they'll be
able to fight.
Laura's site "Seams
Like Yesterday" is up and
running---it's so nice! She does
such high quality, beautiful work.
It's a blessing to know her, to watch
the LORD work in and through her and her
family! She and Mary have shown us
a bit of quilting and I look forward to
learning more... well, that is if
there's time! I think she'll soon
be swamped with orders! The baby
quilt she made using a child's baby
clothes is the most precious quilt I've
ever seen. The ways she used
distinctive parts (pockets, collars,
cuffs, hems) of the clothing was really
incredibly clever and the mother (who
ordered the quilt) will easily remember
the child as a toddler in the particular
outfits as she sees the unique squares.
|
December 16, 2003
I'm dreaming of hot summer
days... as I came across this
picture I was almost able to
hear the sounds of summer...
feel the heat of the sun on my
face, or the digging in the
garden and the splashing of the
pool water. I'm mindful
that we'll soon turn the corner
and the days will soon be longer
and the hours of darkness will
diminish! |
Need more articles?
Interested in more on what's going on in the
church today? Take a look at
Kjos Ministries.
I'm thankful to have
been serving in the soup kitchen yesterday
and as I drove there, I was mindful of a
message I wrote a couple of years ago
concerning serving in the soup kitchen and
my murmuring heart. There were
inconveniences and small irritations that
kept bringing to mind the words of the
LORD... will you be My servant? Then
again yesterday these thoughts come to me as
some of the guests were demanding,
belligerent and perhaps even rude.
Honestly, it was a joy because I no longer
saw them as irritations but as opportunities
to serve the LORD. I thought of all my
cantankerous attitudes over the years and my
self-centered demands of the LORD as
daily I have *expected* Him to reply to me
as if I'd never caused Him grief. My
High King Of Heaven---who was I to not serve
Him... and yesterday it was in the form of
serving some people who didn't care---but
for themselves. Then, as God would
have it, there were blessings in the form of
people who *did* care and were grateful.
I got to thinking---do I serve the LORD for
what *I* will receive or for the Joy that is
set before me. So, again, I prayed and
I pray today: Lord,
make me a servant.
These are the days
before Christmas... I hope other sisters
will be encouraged to wait on the LORD in
these days and not allow sentimentality to
grab hold of their hearts and derail them as
they seek to serve the LORD without
trappings of the world. I sent out a
Welcome Home letter yesterday in hopes
that someone would benefit from my failings
and what the Lord is doing through the
years.
It's a real test of determination to be
resolute to not be caught up in the frenzy.
When the ads flash before us of all the
things we must have and do not need or think
we need and cannot afford, it's a test of
resolve to be unruffled at the barrage of
mind. We have received many "season's
greetings" cards... what does that *really*
mean? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
O, I *know* the sender means *something* in
the sending, but really, it means nothing.
The season doesn't save us, and God didn't
send the season so that we'd celebrate His
love for us. He sent His
Son---*that's* what we celebrate. I'm
thinking that maybe we ought to send Happy
Holidays cards in January or February or
some other month when people have a day off
from work or school. How about
summertime happy holidays cards when
teachers and students have a holiday from
classes.
December 15,
2003 All over the
news... it's saddam... It's sort of pathetic
how many shots are being taken at the
administration, the military---how many
conspiracies and theories are bandied about.
I was thinking they ought to just put him
back in the place they found him---but what
a contradiction--his people killing
themselves for him and for whatever benefit
or great reward they believed they'd receive
from *g*od for their efforts and yet their
own leader obviously didn't believe that or
his own lies as he sat with a gun in his
lap.
Continuing to add to our
"year
in pictures" Fun to reminisce as I
looked through the hundreds of photos!
December 14,
2003 Well...
what a weekend this has been----and what a
day in
the news! He (saddam hussein)
proves rats can quite possibly live through
anything-anywhere!
Today was a pretty late
start... we sure enjoyed performing in our
two Christmas programs at church and also
tonight attending the Christmas musical
presentation at a local church our friends
attend. It's always very
professionally done and such a blessing.
Now... I'm sure that they all put a great
deal into the performances---even more than
we did---!!
Well... so now another Christmas program is
part of our family history---no doubt, one of
our favourites, and for me the very little
time spent in practices etc., etc. was a
blessing. Our friend, Kimberly, has an
incredible knack for figuring out programs
and envisioning how they'll all come
together---faith in the LORD and His doing
and organizational skills to be able
to pull off all sorts of dramas and
presentations. We sure had a great
time singing together as a family
(especially in our living-room practice
sessions!!) Then, having our son,
daughter-in-law and grandchildren
there---and I'm just grateful to the LORD
for meeting me at my point of need---giving
me words to share in a portion I had in the
program. I'll get it edited tomorrow
for a welcome home message.
these are for you, mama------------scenes
and sets of the Christmas program.
Our daughters will take part
in the Deaf Fellowship Christmas program
next week---but those practices have been
minimal and are part of our sign language
class this week. As I've written in
the past, our church "sponsors" a Deaf
Fellowship that meets in our old building
and we take sign language classes there.
The LORD in His mercy provided this blessing
long before we understood our part in it and
our need of sign language training! In
the meantime, I've come to understand that
sign language understanding or ability is
not just for those who have deaf or hearing
impaired family/friends, but is necessary
to/for everyone---this, since our daughter
is hearing impaired ---unilaterally deaf,
with minimal loss in her right. We've
come to see once again that the mercy of the
LORD is unfailing and we're in awe of His
provisions for our family. I don't
think there's anything more beautiful than
watching a beautifully signed musical.
On the program for next week, the words
read:
"Interpreting will be provided for the
hearing." Our little daughter
sure is looking forward to the
musical---finally "getting" many of the
signs---it moves pretty fast! She's
got a joyful heart and is enthusiastic!
I talked with a woman today whose husband is
deaf and she commented that she didn't learn
sign language until they'd been married a
couple of years. Apparently someone
told her that if she were to have any hope
for her marriage, she'd *have* to learn to
*talk* to her husband and *understand*
*him*! I'm
anxious to read a newsletter/magazine
I received from a friend today. What
I'm interested inis reading someihing about John MacArthur's latest book.
Here's a recent quote: "Everybody has an
opinion, whether it's about the war on
terrorism, the state of the economy or
whatever. John MacArthur reveals that
there's only one opinion that carries real
weight... God's!"
andrew wants to play the guitar... but a
broom'll do!
December 12-13, 2003 It's
tough to come to an understanding or a
decision of how to celebrate Christmas---as
it's not a holy-day or a sanctified day---or
the actual day of the birth of our LORD---it
*is* however, a marvelous time to give
thanks and to share the Good News---that
Christ DID come to earth, what He did and
why He did it. Just as God says He
will preserve His Word, I believe so also
that He will preserve His message---the
message the prophets declared and angels
proclaimed. Jesus Christ came into the
world as Saviour---fully God, fully man---
to save sinners from eternal separation from
Him, to live eternally *with* Him in Glory.
There is no other---those who say there are
many roads, I say, yes, there are many roads
and they all meet at the Judgment Seat of
Jesus Christ and in that Day He will either
say come in or depart, I never knew you.
I stumbled across and read
a sermon I thought was quite good as I
was reading Spurgeon on Christmas. I'd
have to readily admit that I'm sort of a
Spurgeon-ite---which also makes me a
Calvinist, reformed theology, yada, yada,
yada. I try not to get into that all
that often as it often causes divisions and
sometimes disagreements. I want to
just say: I follow Jesus my Lord.
We have a program at our
local church
this evening and tomorrow evening---among
all the other presentations, our family will
sing and I will share a message called
reflections of a mama's heart at Christmas.
I've been deliberately writing and rewriting
this talk as I've wanted to be certain that
it is an accurate description, or a sincere
reflection. So... I wrote it---and
I'll send it out as a Welcome Home message
tomorrow. I need to make a few
additions or changes---since something
written for a talk varies a bit from a
written message. It was an honour to
be asked to share---my hope is that others
were blessed---I always come away from these
sorts of things feeling like I totally
missed the deal and blundered---nonetheless,
I sure pray that someone was encouraged.
We loved singing tonight! In one part
of the song, I'm not just sure whose part I
was singing---could have been alto, could
have been tenor---but I got back around to
the line. One of my boys was singing
out strong... and I sort of got got up in
one of those tender mommy moments---you know
the kind that make you weep for the sweet
moment. I was sure proud of all of
them.
December 11, 2003
|
|
Our daughter
made nice treats for the Bible
study she attends on Wednesday
evenings. A couple are new and
will become favourites around
here! I added one of the
recipes to
Kathryn's recipes page
(c-chip-pecan pie bars). Now...
we tasted them---BUT since
they're
BSF foods, my daughter and I
are avoiding them---but all the
littles sure did gather around
to eat the "frame" of each pan.
Now the "frame" is the half inch
perimeter of the pan that she
never includes on the serving
platters---so no one ever gets
the 'frames' or 'edges' of
brownies, bars, coffee cake or
whatever---well, no one but the
littles here--it's their
favourite part of our baking;
that, and batter! (I know... raw
eggs...) |
after the piano recital on Sunday
Avoiding
BSF foods has helped me so much!
I'm thinking of getting a little more
serious so as to be able to lose the last
ten pounds I want to lose; but I've been
able to maintain this thirty pound weight
loss by avoiding
BSF foods. If we're out visiting,
then I've been eating very-very small
portions of white foods or
butter-sugar-flour foods and this has
enabled me to maintain this loss but if I
add these back in to my daily diet, I always
gain a pound or two. But, for the most
part: NO WHITE FOOD! I can't seem to
follow the regimens of Atkins like my
parents---they've done so well! I also
can't seem to stay in the Zone or hang out
with Dr. Phil or go to the South Beach...
just saying NO to white food has been enough
for me.
Ahhhh, so grateful for the opportunities the
LORD's given me to share with women and
families. I sure don't take this
lightly, but then, nor do I take what I'm
doing so seriously as if I have this great wealth of
knowledge and wisdom---but this I know, the
Word stands---the Word does not fail and
God's truths do not return void. My
thoughts always return to a verse that
governs my thoughts: Christ in you, the hope
of glory. [Colossians 1.27]
We fellowship with a
group of believers who attend different
'churches' in the area. I say
'churches' because we know that as believers
in Christ, *we* are the church and the
buildings in which we gather are simply
that: buildings or meeting places---we do
*go* to church---so to speak, we *are* the church---all
over the world believers are the church.
Anyway, in this fellowship of believers, we
find many facets of personality and so the
contributions are unique---*this* is what
makes fellowship so sweet: the combining of
unique personalities who are individually at
once whole when surrendered by faith in and
to Jesus, make up a dynamic whole when
gathered together. Just like in a
family---in the beginning a husband and wife
are a complete whole---any additions to that
family make it a more dynamic whole---but it
is already a complete whole. I was
sharing this in the
lesson (#22) that day in our Titus2
fellowship on Tuesday morning. In these
meetings and in our evening home-fellowship
we're seeking to live in accordance to the
Word and not be caught up in what have
become the trappings of the modern "church."
Oh my... a line from
that 'purpose-driven' article I read yesterday just keeps
ringing in my ears---the congregation being
asked what kind of music they like to listen
to on the radio---answer: then that's the kind of
music we'll play in church. Oh my...
I'm thinking, that'd be like me asking all my little
children what kind of food they want
to eat for breakfast and then serving it to
them everyday! I'll tell ya this right
now: they wouldn't quickly choose ten grain
cereal! Or, how 'bout this: what if I
were to ask the children how they'd like to
spend the day---everyday---they wouldn't
tell me they'd like to spend the whole day
in study, writing essays, doing mathematics,
being quiet in prayer and
meditation, hard at work keeping the
home spotless---that's for sure! No!
They'd want to play and play and
play---drinking Nestles Quik and eating
chocolate-chip cookie dough---they'd
probably like to watch movies and invite all
their friends in to do the same! We all
would probably choose one of the easier
roads---but is that what this life's all
about? An amusement park? Is that what Christ died for?
Is entertainment man's chief aim and God's
glory? I saw a man sitting at a bus stop in
our little town today... so far removed from
all that drives some people. I grieve
for him---for all the lost and for all the
saved who live lost.
December 10, 2003
I know that I often
stand alone in many groups. I'm not
uncomfortable with this, but I'm often
grieved that so many I truly respect seem
oblivious to the things that seem so clear
to me---and I do hastily confess that I'm
sure they must think the same of me. I just
finished reading an article that stated more
succinctly than I could the challenge or
what I consider to be the problem with a
popular book and church growth movement.
I often hesitate to comment on specific
groups in the Christian community for the
sake of unity---but I do comment when for
the sake of Truth I see the need to do so.
One such situation is the seeming frenzy
over the purpose driven church or life---its
'success' and its methods. In the
article I've just mentioned, there are
specifics---and these are but a few of the
glaring contradictions or
controversial points of the purpose driven
life and/or church. The article is
lengthy but worth the read. It's risky to
take a stand but I'd say it'd be far riskier
to *not* take one.
December 9,
2003
I receive
reminders of birthdays from
Birthday Alarm---you just sign up and
receive two reminders: a week and three days
prior to the birthday dates you've
selected. It's a neat way to be reminded to
e-mail or send a card to someone. At this
time of year it's neat to set some goals for
the coming year... this'll help with your
organizing or 'be organized' goals!
December 8
It seems
we've hit the deck running, this week!
Many things to take care of... many
commitments on the calendar! It seems
it always goes this way---no matter how many
attempts are made to not be over-committed.
All the dates or activities involve at least
a couple in our family and all seem
important---and all the while attention is
being given to one event, preparations are
being made for another! So...
sometimes it feels like each event is just a
step to the next event. Problem
is, hastily running through them would tend
to invalidate them, and that's something I'd
like to avoid like the plague!
Balance. O, for balance!
The year's coming to a
close... all the print media publications
will soon be coming out with 'year in
pictures' editions. This morning I
received an email from Focus on the
Family...
reviewing the top articles of the year.
Personally, I think these are just some of
the most dramatic articles. I don't
think you'll never see the TOP articles of
the year---for the TOP articles, are rarely
published... and perhaps few are known,
they'd not be sensational enough for the
mainstream media---but these are the truly
top articles---articles that would be top
stories of a lifetime... but in this last
year... mothers who've loved and lost their
sons in war; mothers who've loved and lost
their sons in auto accidents; mothers who've
held their dying children after years of
caring for them; fathers who daily go out to
work to care for their families in spite of
sickness or injury, weather or disability;
fathers who walk sons through adolescence
and daughters down the aisle; children who
overcome obstacles, disability or pain in
order to reach goals, climb mountains, reach
stars; husbands who say good-bye to wives
and children to board planes bound for
destruction; families who gather belongings
moments before fire consumes it... these are
the top stories... these are the ones few
ever read but are most worthy of recording.
December 7,
2003 May
God Bless you, this LORD's
Day. Today our
children played in another piano recital.
They all played so beautifully! Our
friend has invested so much in their lives
and given them a gift I could never repay:
the gift of music. I'll always be
grateful to her for what she's done for them
and to the LORD for giving them the ability
to play. I pray for all the children
to play beautiful music. So many
years, so much practicing---even now as I
type this, beautiful music fills our home
(just now: Sunrise, Sunset) ---I couldn't be
more thankful! Ahhhh... it was also my
step-dad's birthday---what a blessing he's
been in and for our family. Our
children have learned a special love from
him---a consistent, patient man whose life
has been a blessing to me---to my mom and to
them. It seems all her life there have
been inconsistent, unfaithful men and that
is not who this man is and so---in
celebrating today, we celebrate for her the
birth of her husband---a rare gift, he is.
December 6,
2003
Oh, what a beautiful morning! It's
likely to become gray and dark---but for now
the sky's beautiful! My friend thinks
that overcast days are the most beautiful...
she oooh's and aaaah's over the shades of
white and gray. Hmmm.
More on freezing...
foods, that is. I receive a [yahoo
groups] digest called frozen assets---it
seems that every day I am learning a new (to
me) idea that I incorporate into my cooking
and homemaking. There was a question a day
or so ago regarding the potential defrosting
of a freezer in a power-outage and how would
one know if the freezer defrosted in their
absence, say, if they were out of town or
away on vacation. So, here's the tip:
"...fill a small cup/dish with water, put it
in freezer until frozen. Then place a penny
on top of the ice. If you find the penny at
the bottom or anywhere other than the top of
the ice, you will know the freezer had
defrosted or partially defrosted."
Isn't that the best?!?!? Then there's
the tip for boiling ground beef instead of
frying it. And, though I link to the site
from our
recipe pages, I sort of forgot about the
Urban Homemaker site. I really
like Marilyn from articles I've read and the
contents of her site. She used to be a
featured columnist for Gentle Spirit
magazine... O, how I miss the former days of
that magazine. Many changes have transpired
since then. O, in those days, when
that magazine would come---I couldn't wait
for its arrival, I'd drop everything to sit
down and read it... as I recall, I'd read
them cover to cover while nursing babies,
watching children out on the lawn, waiting
at appointments or whatever! I miss
those days!
December 5,
2003 It's
a clean-up day around here, a study day and
preparation for a busy weekend.
Keeping laundry under control is my daily
concern---I find that when I maintain a
simple schedule, all of these things can be
handled---but! when I neglect one thing for
more than a day---woooo, all duties seem to
topple! My friend, Mary, wrote
to share that she'd begun holiday
baking---and freezing! I will set
about doing this next week! I hope to
have several things made each day.
What a blessing it is to have things done in
advance! All this thinking comes from
seeing time spent wisely, being prepared
with foods/meals in the freezer and seeking
to be resourceful! Ah... that's what
homemaking is: continually growing in wisdom
and grace---blessing others in the process
and product.
We had another Bible study here in our home
last evening---many little children, good
fellowship and time in the Word. I
wish we could have these times every couple
of days!
Recently, I was thinking on the things
Nancy Campbell shared at a
retreat---over and over again her words come
into my mind and the thing I'm thinking of
is that young people need fellowship, they
need it as much or more than we do.
They need us to provide for them the basis
for lasting friendships and then
opportunities to cultivate them. I
know this to be so true... and as we have
many ages needing different types of things,
it's a blessing to have families
in---families who have various aged children
and who are seeking to train them up in the
ways of the LORD. It's challenging to
me sometimes to see that all the children
are busy with appropriate things, that their
companions are 'on the same page' so to
speak, and to be sure that idle time is well
spent. I know it's worth every
thought, every prayer and every ounce of
energy---the fruit is sweet.
My daughter in law just called for a recipe
for
Russian Cream which she plans on taking
to a party tomorrow. It's such a
delicious tasting side-dish. I think
it goes with everything! We've sure
enjoyed it here. Problem is... it's
not all that healthy... so moderation!
December 4, 2003 Recently
I discovered that in the lost files were all
our lists---lists for school, checklists for
packing, shopping, trips, camping, etc.,
etc. Additionally, I had household
checklists for different seasons, gardening,
etc. that I regret losing. So... now
I'm in the midst of redoing these
lists---they make things ever so much
easier, especially when packing for a trip
or making a fast grocery list. I'll
post them here when they're done.
December 3, 2003 We
searched for a song (for the Christmas
program) to practice last night... what a
challenge it is to choose a song which
reflects our heart and expresses the message
we seek to convey. So... after talking
about all of that and praying together, it
was time to prepare for bed. It wasn't
for naught---anytime a family gathers and
shares together is a blessing. We have
a small amount of time to choose the song
and so we'll have to get clipping along!
Another stormy night! I know the
sounds are magnified---as is everything else
in the dark, but it sure seemed like a bad
storm outside! My husband was up and
gone very early this morning... and as I
tried to go back to sleep, my imagination
soared as I thought of what was blowing
around outside!
Not stormy inside, we're
enjoying a nice morning here! Pink
light-bulbs in the lamps make the home seem
warm to me. My mother used them when I
was a little girl and so I've grown
accustomed to the type of light they give
off and now prefer it to other light
effects. Even the fluorescent tubes in
the kitchen are this type of colour---it
sort of looks like 'afternoon' all day long.
Plus having been born and raised in
California, I prefer warm weather and
sunshine---but after so long living in the
Pacific Northwest, now the scenery I most
prefer most is what's HERE---this is
home to me now! I realized this
amazing shift when earlier in the year we
visited my old hometown---and what I had
continued to think was my favourite place---anywhere:
in So. California. Now, I love it
there... but it's not home to me anymore and
the bland countryside/landscape is no longer
home to me...stucco, concrete, swimming
pools, Coppertone, compact cars, freeways
and palm-trees were all more than
familiar to me, but they're not 'home' to me
anymore---home is here and it's taken on a
whole new meaning now that I've seen what
home isn't anymore.
More
notes...
Had several letters of response to
yesterday's "TheWelcomeHome" note I sent
out. I'm thankful for the opportunity
to send letters out to ladies and am praying
about what I ought to send first. I've
got several letters I want to complete and
send. Lots of ideas to share in the
"Good Things & Recipes" letters, too.
It's a blessing to have been able to do this
for several years now---and I 'm humbled at
the replies. Finally, yesterday, I was
able to access the mailing list and so will
be able to use that list server once again.
It was challenging (for me) to get that
sorted out. I have soooo much to
learn! Everyday is a learning
experience---for which I am grateful!
One of my little boys has been 'behind' in
reading and lately has just 'taken-off' with
reading and spelling! What a thrill it
is to sit beside him while he reads to me!
The particular story he was reading had a
bit of adventure in the story line and it
was so exciting to listen to him as he
anticipated what would happen next and was
reading with that same feeling! I love
it when things all seem to come together and
learning becomes a daily thrill for the
child! I wouldn't want to miss this
for anything!
A great
homeschooling/large family endorsement sort
of
article in an Indiana newspaper!
I'm guessing this family wishes that even
though this article is quite encouraging, it
likely doesn't reflect what actually happens
in a large homeschooling family home---all
the blessings and benefits are too many to
accurately convey.
Looking for national
news? The site referenced above also had a
link to
national news. Since my mother in
law lives in Indiana, I was happy to have a
link to news there.
December 2, 2003 What a windy-rainy
day it's been! I'm thankful for the
rain---but don't like storms! The wind
has helped the last of the weeping willow
tree leaves to shed... they're now all over
the yard---tiny leaves, millions of them!
Nearly all the trees are bare, now, and the
landscape has taken on a whole new
look---no, an old familiar look.
I found an old book on
Ebay---my
daughter found a CD she's been looking for
--- we ordered them and are anxiously
awaiting their arrival! I've
discovered that just about ANYthing I've
been looking for can be found on Ebay.
Incredible. So, all day, I've resisted
the temptation to search Ebay for things I
don't need. Things I have been
searching for for years can now easily be
found on Ebay... so, there you go---the
commercial spot for the day!
Ebay: such a deal!
Had all these pop-up ads on the screen...
all these offers to download this or that
program. Spyware. Well...
thankfully, one of my sons got rid of most
of the programs that started the problems.
It was time consuming and it's mind
consuming to me! I know our MS friend
would be rolling his eyes at the trouble
we've gotten ourselves into---especially
since it wasn't all that long ago that he
got us out of the fix we were in!
Okay... so tighten security---batten down
the hatches---it's sometimes rough sailing
on this ship!
And so goes another day.
December
1, 2003
Another new month...
another opportunity to do this month: better.
We all think these things, we all attempt
great things and then, we all look forward
to a new month, a new year to *really* do
better. We have this eternal hope that
*this* will be a better year... doing things
differently than we've done them before.
Obviously, somewhere along the way we slip
and fail to keep to our lofty goals and high
expectations---December is a great month to
be thinking about all we decided *last*
December---resolutions we mentally
entertained at the end of the month in
preparation for the *new* year ahead---the
new year and its vast unpainted canvas.
Here we are at another December looking back
at the canvas that only twelve months
previous loomed large in front of us and
now, that once white canvas, that clean
slate, is anything but white and clean.
I never did get photos in albums this past
year. I never did write all the
"thank-you's" I intended to write. I
didn't faithfully remember my secret pal
with cards and gifts. I didn't keep
life simple and orderly. I never did back up
the files on the computer. I never did
write down the sweet sayings of the children
and I didn't make them quilts or very many
new clothes. I didn't spend near
enough personal time with each
child---listening, really listening to all
their thoughts. I didn't get very many
projects completed. Well, if I think I didn't
do anything... what DID I do? Ah...
the memories of the year flood my mind...
and hopefully through this month I will post
pictures of what really did happen
this past year. It's not all lost,
it's not all a waste, it's not a failure.
It wasn't what I planned, it wasn't all I
hoped it would be... but it was more---so
much more! It was all I needed, all I
wanted, and so much more. Things that
could never have been imagined: happened.
Things that seemed impossible: happened.
Things I didn't expect: happened.
Blessings----now I know what the line in the
hymn means: blessings supernal!
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul...
The Lord allowed things to happen in this
past year that I'd never imagined would
happen the way they did. His Hand has
been so evident---His mercy and grace so
sweet---His provision so perfect.
Now... the month ahead should bring great
things... we've seen the King and He is
gracious!
Oh....
I reached a milestone. I've boasted
for years that I never got a ticket. I
was stopped one time because my license
plate had fallen off. I was stopped
one time by an officer giving us a warning
that there was commotion in our vehicle.
I was stopped in a grocery store parking lot
for failure to signal (I later learned that
our little city police were on the lookout
for a person driving a van matching the
description of our van) and I questioned
about the signal for a parking lot---he told
me it was a good practice to do so. :-O
Ahh... so my milestone is that I got a
ticket. Yes! I did and it was for
failing to come to a complete stop at an
intersection I *thought* I'd done
so-----well... so there you go. In tears I
handed him my license and proof insurance
and registration... which I had to riffle
through an envelope of registrations for and
I didn't have on my glasses so I couldn't
see the writing---I could have given him one
of my Les Schwab tires warranties for all I
know! The officer said I need to stop
completely---not rolling, stopping, removing
my foot pressure from the accelerator and
then proceeding into and through the
intersection. I felt like I was in
driving school---I wanted to say I don't
know what you mean...besides that, I didn't
even see you, where on earth did you come
from, anyway!?! So now... Shattered my
clean driving record and now I am nearly
causing myself and our passengers whiplash
at stop signs and yellow traffic signals.
Yeah, I know... I have friends who know I
tend to push the speed limit and they're
wondering how on earth I've never
been stopped all these years. So...
the failure to stop---that ticket was for
all the others I should have
gotten and didn't. Mercy. I
can't afford to NOT stop now! I told
the officer I learned to drive in San
Francisco, California---he smiled. I
immediately called my husband... what a
merciful man... he must've been smiling for
he didn't really say much and let me know
that it'd all be alright... and it is.
I laugh now---foot firmly on the break.
No... this wasn't
snapped from my van window with our camera.
I don't know where this pic came from.
My sincere thanks to whoever sent this ;-)
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