A new chapter, a new stage ...
This week has been the first week of structured and serious homeschooling. I've enjoyed this week of educating and learning (both for Little Man and myself!).
A new journey, a new adventure ...
I'm looking forward to this year and to the years to come as I invest so deeply in my children's lives. What a blessing to be able to be home with my little ones and now to be able to teach them. I love getting to know my children and what they are capable of - their strength and weaknesses; in so doing, I learn my own.
A new challenge, a new fulfillment ...
And so it begins ...
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
I never thought of that....
In today's Sermon, we were in Genesis chapter 19 "Sodom and Gomorrah". A heavy chapter indeed and we have a courageous pastor who preaches God's word chapter by chapter, verse by verse "in season and out of season". We are a very blessed church to be sure.
That, however, is not my point in writing. In verse 16 of the chapter, we find that Lot hesitates or lingers when it's time to be running. "So the men seize him" and his family "for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city". When the time comes, we the church will be raptured or caught up out of this world. Another translation is "violently snatched away".
"Violently?" Why the word violent for such a joyous and most anticipated moment? Perhaps, because we, like Lot, are human and even when we know we need to run away from our sin we need God to reach down and seize us and pull us out. Maybe, because there is too much of the world in the church today that God needs to grab hold of us and yank us free in order to get us home.
That, however, is not my point in writing. In verse 16 of the chapter, we find that Lot hesitates or lingers when it's time to be running. "So the men seize him" and his family "for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city". When the time comes, we the church will be raptured or caught up out of this world. Another translation is "violently snatched away".
"Violently?" Why the word violent for such a joyous and most anticipated moment? Perhaps, because we, like Lot, are human and even when we know we need to run away from our sin we need God to reach down and seize us and pull us out. Maybe, because there is too much of the world in the church today that God needs to grab hold of us and yank us free in order to get us home.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Vanilla Pound Cake
Soon the fall season will be upon us and the whirlwind of Birthdays and Holidays will commence. I'm ready for the rainy days that keep us cozy in our homes. I love to hear the rain on the roof and watch it race in thin lines down the be-speckled window panes. I also look forward to enjoying the taste-y treats of pumpkin and spice and everything nice...
Before I start to make my autumnal and Christmas-y pounds cakes, I thought I should indulge in a simple yet delightful Vanilla Pound Cake. This one is so light and delicate in flavor. It's really quite lovely.
Vanilla Pound Cake
1 1/2 c flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c butter (room temperature)
1 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs (room temperature)
1/2 c sour cream (room temperature)
Mix dry ingredients. Set aside.
Mix on medium speed butter, sugar and vanilla.
Add eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in each one.
Add half of the flour mixture and stir.
Stir in sour cream.
Stir in remaining flour mixture.
Pour into greased and floured pan.
Bake 325 degrees for 50-70 minutes.
Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan.
Enjoy!!
Vanilla Pound Cake
1 1/2 c flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c butter (room temperature)
1 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs (room temperature)
1/2 c sour cream (room temperature)
Mix dry ingredients. Set aside.
Mix on medium speed butter, sugar and vanilla.
Add eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in each one.
Add half of the flour mixture and stir.
Stir in sour cream.
Stir in remaining flour mixture.
Pour into greased and floured pan.
Bake 325 degrees for 50-70 minutes.
Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan.
Enjoy!!
Thursday, August 22, 2013
What'll it be?
A man was walking down the road and sees another man digging a ditch. He asks the digger, "What are you doing?" The digger replies, "I'm digging a ditch."
The man continues down the road and sees another man digging a ditch. He asks the digger, "What are you doing?" The digger replies, "I'm building a cathedral!"
So, what'll it be? Are you going to be like the first digger and just "dig" into the moment or the second digger who does his present job with the excitement of knowing he is part of something bigger than himself?
The man continues down the road and sees another man digging a ditch. He asks the digger, "What are you doing?" The digger replies, "I'm building a cathedral!"
So, what'll it be? Are you going to be like the first digger and just "dig" into the moment or the second digger who does his present job with the excitement of knowing he is part of something bigger than himself?
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Keep Going Anyway
"Keep going anyway!" This was the sentence which resounded from the pulpit on Sunday from our guest speaker. He was talking about how when we "fail" we need to take it to the Lord and then "Keep Going anyway!" He said we need to stop wallowing where we are and move on. He then instructed us to turn to our neighbor and say, "Keep going anyway."
I was sitting next to my Father-in-Law and so turned to him. I just smiled and gave a little laugh while my Father-in-law said "Keep going anyway." It wasn't until he said this and I heard others saying it to each other that the sentence struck a chord and took meaning.
I realized the power of those three words, an encouragement that we need to not only remind ourselves of but to also make sure we continue to tell to each other. I was reminded that we each have hurts and daily struggles unseen by most that can keep us down and unmotivated, sometimes even overwhelming us to a point of making us neglect our spiritual walk or that which is most important. We each need a push forward sometimes.
As a mom with small children and now seriously entering the world of homeschooling, I often get overwhelmed, wondering if I'm doing all I can for my kids, second guessing myself. Hearing those words, "keep going anyway" encouraged me and, in a sense, gave me "permission" to just keep doing what I'm doing and leave the rest to the Lord.
I always liked what Elizabeth Elliot said (paraphrased) "Say your prayers and then go do the laundry." Go before the Lord and then do whatever you need to do next.
So, whatever you are facing today ... "Keep Going Anyway!"
I was sitting next to my Father-in-Law and so turned to him. I just smiled and gave a little laugh while my Father-in-law said "Keep going anyway." It wasn't until he said this and I heard others saying it to each other that the sentence struck a chord and took meaning.
I realized the power of those three words, an encouragement that we need to not only remind ourselves of but to also make sure we continue to tell to each other. I was reminded that we each have hurts and daily struggles unseen by most that can keep us down and unmotivated, sometimes even overwhelming us to a point of making us neglect our spiritual walk or that which is most important. We each need a push forward sometimes.
As a mom with small children and now seriously entering the world of homeschooling, I often get overwhelmed, wondering if I'm doing all I can for my kids, second guessing myself. Hearing those words, "keep going anyway" encouraged me and, in a sense, gave me "permission" to just keep doing what I'm doing and leave the rest to the Lord.
I always liked what Elizabeth Elliot said (paraphrased) "Say your prayers and then go do the laundry." Go before the Lord and then do whatever you need to do next.
So, whatever you are facing today ... "Keep Going Anyway!"
Monday, August 19, 2013
No going back?
Technology...."We've come so far that there is no going back." This was the conclusion that my mother and I came to concerning the love-hate relationship that we have with technology. Where as we appreciate the convenience that comes with having the different technological resources we determined that they can often be more trouble then they are worth. At the end of our conversation, however, we just shrugged our shoulders and declared, "but there's no going back".
Since then I have come to an different opinion. As for the world, I still believe that technology will only continue to advance in leaps and bounds but for the individual it's all about acceptance. What do I personally deem worthwhile or important to my lifestyle? What do I wish to have for my entertainment?
Not long after the above conversation, I heard a sermon in which the pastor said that he got rid of internet in his home. He then announced to the congregation, "And guess what? I didn't die!"
I have just finished watching a documentary on the Amish. They are a faith based community who focus on God and have chosen to live simply, without the influence of the world's fads and conveniences. Where as I don't agree with their isolation from the world to the point of religious extremes, I do appreciate their courage to say I don't need to keep up with all the newest whatever to be happy and fulfilled. They have chosen to enjoy life simply.
Therefore, I have come to the decision that on an individual level there is a going back. We just have to decide what it is we what to have in our lives. We could get rid of our TVs and movies, our personal computers, cell phones that provide everything that a computer does, etc.
Perhaps, the better question to ask ourselves is "What do I want to consume my time with?" We don't need to feel the need to keep up with rest of the world but we have been given grace to enjoy some of what is out there.
In conclusion, either we can go extreme and join the Amish or just pick and chose those technologies and conveniences that we want to have be apart of our lifestyle. It's just up to us to choose what's most important to us. So, is it possible to "go back"? You choose.
Since then I have come to an different opinion. As for the world, I still believe that technology will only continue to advance in leaps and bounds but for the individual it's all about acceptance. What do I personally deem worthwhile or important to my lifestyle? What do I wish to have for my entertainment?
Not long after the above conversation, I heard a sermon in which the pastor said that he got rid of internet in his home. He then announced to the congregation, "And guess what? I didn't die!"
I have just finished watching a documentary on the Amish. They are a faith based community who focus on God and have chosen to live simply, without the influence of the world's fads and conveniences. Where as I don't agree with their isolation from the world to the point of religious extremes, I do appreciate their courage to say I don't need to keep up with all the newest whatever to be happy and fulfilled. They have chosen to enjoy life simply.
Therefore, I have come to the decision that on an individual level there is a going back. We just have to decide what it is we what to have in our lives. We could get rid of our TVs and movies, our personal computers, cell phones that provide everything that a computer does, etc.
Perhaps, the better question to ask ourselves is "What do I want to consume my time with?" We don't need to feel the need to keep up with rest of the world but we have been given grace to enjoy some of what is out there.
In conclusion, either we can go extreme and join the Amish or just pick and chose those technologies and conveniences that we want to have be apart of our lifestyle. It's just up to us to choose what's most important to us. So, is it possible to "go back"? You choose.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
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