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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

What I have been studying.....

This morning you could have found me sitting in a local coffee shop, sipping a cup of hot mint tea, and doing homework for my A Woman's Heart...God's Dwelling Place, Bible Study (I know, I know...I have it hard).
I came across the following paragraph in reference to God providing Manna for the famished Israelites, and have spent the remainder of this day chomping on it:

"I finally understand the nature of God's mercy and grace. They are always there, available every day, prior to our need, and in direct proportion to every moment's demand; but we must gather them. That part is completely our responsibility.
What do you think would have happened to the Israelites if they had stayed inside their tents with their stomachs growling? They would have starved to death with the provision right outside their tent! Yet you and I frequently watch Christians do the same thing.
Yes, God's grace is always sufficient, and His arms are always open to give it; but will our arms be open to receive what He so graciously offers?

You and I can survive anything, but we must want to!

The world offers plenty of quail (Egyptian symbolism of abundance) to satisfy our hunger, but we will stuff ourselves without satisfaction. Only God's provision can satisfy a starving soul"

~Beth Moore


I am thinking of times in my life, when I have complained I had it hard! I thought in those dark days, God was absent, and what had me so stumped was that I had read in His Word, he would meet my every need, and he would take care of every detail in my life. So, why was I going through these horrid circumstances?
I have watched good people go through really bad things, and wondered where God was for them?

He is always there, providing just enough Manna for that day...He just expects us to get up and gather His goodness! God will help us through each day, we just have to want Him to!!

Psalms 81:10...

I am the Lord your God,

who brought you up out of Egypt.

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

What a promise!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

It's My Birthday!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Clean Closets!

I have this issue in my house! If it can be hidden behind a door, it may get ignored for awhile. It seems to be about making the "outside" look good, and not always worrying about what is on the "inside".
I pray that I never again let that be the case with my heart, but it is the case in my home.

So, I have been working on it by reading a book called, Simplify Your Space. It is helping me learn that less is always more, and that having things where they belong, makes the home function in a way that reduces stress!
Last week I found these great containers at Target, in the "college" section. Everything was 75-80% off, so I got them for 2.00-3.00 each! I didn't care that they were intended for college rooms...they work just like all the others!

Here are the before and after pictures of my master bathroom closet. This closet had become the entire family's catch-all....now it is clean and functions much better! I am getting inspired to do this with all the hidden places!


Before.......After......

It's Coming...and We Are Going!

In two short weeks, myself and seven of my friends and family members are going to be loading up and heading to Portland for Women of Faith Conference 2008! It's gonna be good!



Monday, September 22, 2008

I'm in a Peach Jam!


Sunday, September 21, 2008

Nichole is 8!





Today, the youngest member of our family is turning 8!! That is hard for her mommy and daddy to believe!
Nichole is a delightful child! Her laughter and constant smile are gifts from God to our family. She has a gentle heart, that we are seeing is especially tender towards handicapped children. We are excited to see how God uses her gifts for His kingdom. She loves Jesus, and shares that freely!

Nikki, we love you! You are a beautiful little girl! Have lots of fun being 8! Happy Birthday!

Friday, September 19, 2008

School updates!!

On Tuesday evening, Duane and I, along with Alex, attended his school's open house. We walked around and looked at his classrooms and met all of his teachers. It was fun to see where he spends his days.
It made my heart glad to hear that Alex is making a good impression on his teachers. He is getting the reputation of being one of the most respectful, helpful and attentive kids in 6th grade! I asked Duane if they were really talking about our son!! We pray that he will stay that way!!
His teachers are very happy with his grades and his participation in class.
Most all of his teachers are Christians, and his Principals, Mr. Wiles & Mr. Heideman are both believers. When we spoke with Mr. Wiles, he told us that it is his goal to have the first Christian Public school!!
The teachers and principals meet every Wednesday, off campus, for prayer before school!

Ashley's school is a lot bigger, and we haven't yet had opportunity to meet all of her teachers. She is doing so well with her grades, with Physical Science being the "hardest class ever!" She has made several really good friends, and is into the routine of school! She likes her teachers, with one being really hard to learn from. She will get the hang of it!
She has had two teachers ask her about her faith, admitting that they are believers too! She is also attending Launch Pad every other day, with Christian kids studying the Bible together, at school! The area leader for Launch Pad, Emely, is doing so much to help Ashley settle into the public school experience!

Nikki loves school!!! She has a great teacher, is friends with all the kids in her class, can't wait for lunch, and loves, loves, loves her music class!! She comes home everyday singing Frère Jacques, word for word. Nikki's principals and teachers are Christians as well, letting me know from the beginning that the students are covered in prayer, everyday!!

We are grateful for the way that God is helping our family though this new experience. He isn't absent in these schools, and we are grateful for His faithfulness to show Himself in BIG ways everyday!!

I am adapting to my quiet(er) days...staying busy with errands, housework and canning. I am going to a weekly Bible Study, and am thoroughly enjoying that! My days fill up faster than I thought they would, and then it is time to start my pick-up routine.
God is good!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Can You Say Peaches? Lots of Peaches!!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Salsa Recipe

Several of you have asked for my Salsa recipe, so here it is! It actually came from my mom, and I think she got a version of this from a friend, years ago!

30+ Roma tomatoes
2 green peppers
3 med. onions
4 med. jalapeño peppers (leave some seeds in for heat)
4 cloves garlic
1 large bunch of cilantro

I food processor or blender, coarsely grind un-peeled tomatoes. Add peppers onions and garlic until ground together.

Add:
1/2 cup of vinegar
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar

Simmer mixture over low heat for 25 min. Half-way through the cooking, add:
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. cumin

Continue the cooking for the full 25 min.

Take off heat and thicken with 2-4 Tbsp. of cornstarch and water.

Pour into jars and hot bath for 20-25 min.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Happy Birthday Katie!!

Our niece Katie, is having a birthday today!!! We hate that we are so far away from her, and wish we could hug her more often!!

Happy #1 Katie!!
Love, Uncle Duane, Aunt Sheila, Ashley, Alex and Nikki

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Canning Day!



A Boy Turns Twelve!





Alexander is 12!!
That is the headline in our house today.
Twelve years ago, a little boy made his entrance into this world, and our world hasn't been the same since. Alex is full of love, adventure, spunk, mischief and leaves his imprint on everything around him! I can walk around the house after he leaves for school, and I can tell where he has been and what he has been doing! Part of me gets so frustrated by that, until I realize what a gift he is to Duane and I!!
With Alex in our home, life will never be dull!

Happy Birthday, Alex!!
We love you!!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Autumn is Coming!!


This morning, I felt the Autumn crisp sneaking up on me!! So, what did I do..... I stuck some real branches off of my Blazing Maple Tree in my Antique Blue Canning Jar, and coupled it with a Bowl of Crunchy Red Apples!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Ash!




It is difficult to believe that our firstborn is 15 today!! But she is, and we are proud of what a beautiful girl she has become!
She is a loving, compassionate, thoughtful girl, who loves to have fun! She is committed to a personal relationship with Christ, and is making her life matter!!
Ashley's thoughtfulness for others, is a gift from God to those around her.

We love you, Ash! Enjoy these years!!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Click to play Camping at Gold Fork!
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook


Click to play Camping at Gold Fork!
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook