Sabbath

I was so looking forward to Sabbath! The temperature was going to be warm, for us, and I knew that we would be able to spend time outside without a heavy winter coat. I did wear a light jacket, as in the shade it tended to be a little cooler... but a beautiful day in the sunshine!

Today put many in good spirits. At church, all were happy and smiling. Sabbath School had a small showing, just my three girls. We sang, we did our Bible lesson, and went upstairs a bit early. The girls thought I should save the nature talk and Bible games for when the other kids come, because they all enjoy them so much.

I sometimes get confused with our sermons, but I think today it was talking about relating to the people you are ministering to. Don't purposely try to set yourself apart, but find some common threads so you can relate to each other.

After church, we attended potluck. I made a vegan special K loaf. It turned out ok. At first was a bit mushy, but it firmed up as it cooled down. The recipe said to top with a gravy. I made a cashew gravy, but I think it tasted better without the gravy. We also brought a pan of bars. Others brought soup, salad, sandwiches, and au'gratin potatoes. We enjoyed our fellowshipping together. My husband surprises me some days. He normally does not like potlucks, but the last couple, he has gotten into conversations without me and has been enjoying talking as I help set the food out or help clean up. The kids ran around the back yard, behind the building enjoying the sunshine after the meal. The older teens (my girls) sat in the sunshine in the grass. A few adults stepped outside to enjoy the sunshine as well.

We left to come home and check on our lambs. We have a couple bottle lambs and they needed a feeding. After the animals had their checks, we wandered around the yard, talking and enjoying the sunshine. We had promised an afternoon walk and our 4yo let us know it was time to go to the park to walk. We went to the nature center to walk. When we got to the pond, we sat down and enjoyed tossing in some rocks. I heard a bullfrog, I believe, making a loud low croaking at us. The girls found the first caterpillar of the season as well. It is fun to see the world waking up from winter. The grasses were still mostly brown, with just a few weeds poking through with green growth. Well, after we finished our walk, we headed to the park in town and let our little one enjoy a little playground play as we walked and talked around the park. As the air began to chill down, we headed back to the car and then back home.

We got home, right about sundown. The house is a bit chilly, as we hadn't had a fire all day. I suspect we'll start a fire before bed, so it does not get too chilly tonight. The girls enjoyed their day. I think it was a good Sabbath for all the family.

Book Review: The Radical Prayer

I just finished reading The Radical Prayer by Derek J. Morris. It was a smaller sized book with a focused topic and the reading went quickly. The book focuses on the "radical prayer" and while I am not a fan of labeling concepts in scripture to boost it's appeal, the concept is good and it is scriptural. While reading, I found some answers to some questions my husband and I have been having in our own study time as the author goes back to the original Greek and explains the meanings and the verbage of the Greek language so the meaning is clearer. The book focuses on the scripture of Luke 10, although many references to other verses are scattered through out the book. Several real life examples of the prayer in action were added to the book which made it more personable.

To find out more, you can go to the Radical Prayer Website

I would recommend this book to others. It is a short study, but a good read with appeal.

I not eating, I licking...

I had made some chili which called for a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. I had some sugar in this bowl (very little, maybe a teaspoon or two). I walked out of the kitchen and came into the dining room. A couple minutes later I see my little one like this and I exclaim, "Paige, you aren't eating the sugar, are you?" And she replies in all seriousness... "No Mama, I not eating, I licking." I guess it is OK to lick, huh? We all had a good chuckle over it.

Warmly, ~Melissa

You're a good Mother...

In the training of our kids, I try to encourage them by letting them know when they make good choices. My little 3yo has been caring for her sick dollies. She dresses them warmly, wraps them up in a blanket, then places them in bed. Checks on them several times and proclaims them well again. I watch her and as she wraps the dollies up so carefully in their blankets, I tell her... You are a good Mommy!

She is picking up on this encouragement. Tonight her sister made supper and Dh and I were out making our strawberry bed in the dark (OK not so good of timing for eating, but we were visiting relatives this afternoon for a birthday dinner and didn't get home until late). Anyways, Chelsea our 16yo makes supper. She fixed Paige a plate and set it before her. Paige tastes it and decides it is good and says to Chelsea... "You are a good Mother, Chelsea!" Chelsea just beamed when she told me... she thought it was cute, but also enjoyed the compliment.
Her other sister Megan had gotten the same compliment the day before when she played with her, stating to her that she was being like a good Mother.

My heart smiles in that a 3yo can recognize good character traits and even compliment her sisters. I enjoy watching her play. Sometimes she is not so good and needs redirection, but the times when she has good play... I just smile that something good has made it inside and she is able to process it and make it her own.

Watching your child play may seem like a waste of time... I mean you could get laundry done, or the garden planted, or something accomplished! But there are times that watching a child play is so important. It is so important to help them understand in their play that they are making good choices. There are days that I love to do this. There are days that I avoid doing it, because the chores seem so huge and mounting. But it is an important part of mothering our kids. Things may not get done as quickly, but they eventually do get done. I had big plans for planting ALL the onions on Friday, but that didn't happen. But I did get some planted and some roses as well (which my 3yo did help plant as well). I loved it when we finished planting the roses, she surveyed the plants now in the ground and turns to me and says... "Good Job, Mom, you did a good job."

Encouragement... it doesn't happen naturally, it has to be taught. What a blessing to see little ones conquer the very things that we as parents may struggle with. God continues to teach me each day, as I am teaching my own kids... my amazement never ceases as I look to these children he has blessed our family with. No, they are not perfect. In fact, they have been a lot of work at times, but when we are diligent to do the work we've been given... oh what a blessing to behold! Makes it worth every minute that I had tossed aside from my own personal ambition and traded it in for Mothering.

Warmly, ~Melissa

Healthy Convenience: Granola

Today I made some granola. I have a basic recipe that I have altered the last couple years and I think it is just about right. The original recipe was good, but too sweet and had too much fat. I have reduced the fat and sugar by over 1/3. I imagine I will keep tinkering with it. But overall, this recipe has been a great one for topping yogurt, parfaits, and just for munching. Today's batch filled up our cereal cannister.

And with what was left over, I made up 1/2 cup snack packs of granola. A quick grab to stick in my purse for my little one if I need something to keep her belly filled. It's been added as a regular in my snack drawer. I am finding it works out wonderfully and often lasts a long time, since we aren't huge snackers, but it is great for an impromptu picnic and we are trying to fill the lunch bags "FAST".

In the past I baked for farmer's market, so I have alot of large pans. I found that making a large batch will save me alot of preparation time. (this one is tripled from the original recipe) I also make sure what I am doubling, tripling, etc. is something that will store well and something that will get eaten up. I also realize my family is human and sometimes having only "one" type of cereal is just plain boring. So I have 3 granola recipes that we enjoy, that are different in flavor and texture. I am always on the lookout for another great recipe, but I do try to keep some old favorites on hand as well.

HEALTH NOTE:

I found that I grew up with alot of store bought convenience foods and I am trying to get away from that. But I also find that I am so busy, that I often forget to make things for the day that I need them... that puts me behind and often we make food choices that aren't the best because we are HUNGRY.

I have realized that I am forgetful and that I need some convenience foods. I am however making a conscious choice to make these convenience foods more healthy. I am realizing that convenience doesn't always mean I have to sacrifice my family's health. When I make it myself, the item becomes much healthier, oftentimes. I am slowly learning to add these healthy alternatives to my baking routine around home. I am finding the effort to make big batches makes the rest of the week or month go much more smoothly.

Warmly, ~Melissa

Book Review: Laodicea

Laodicea by Jack Sequeira

Ok, you may have read about the Laodicean church of Revelation and know that it applies to the church in the last days. I had, but did I truly understand it? I thought I did.

I read this book and I would rate it a 4/5. It is a very good informational book. A fairly easy read, not overly technical. It is not one that pulls at my heart strings like some books, but I was still glad to read it. It was a good study book on the Laodicea church.

While it tells of the issues in the church in the last days, it also may tell of what is going on in your own heart. I found it brought up some things that I needed to read about. Maybe you will, too.

Warmly, ~Melissa

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Warmly, ~Melissa