Bless their heart

My frig needs more Culture:}

2012-01-05T00:30:00.000-08:00

Help this isn't okay... too much... change desired...need to learn...need culture!

Checking out Wardeh's site at www.gnowfglins.com she has very well done, clear lessons on fermenting/culturing to add nutrition and flavor. Plan on taking her new course coming up to learn even more!

Story telling with a flash light

2011-06-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

This past month several of my grandchildren and I have had great fun reading their nap and bedtime story books with a flash light. Most any book is more fun read this way. We pretend we are camping! Our favorite book of late for reading this way is The Rose in My Garden

Each page has beautiful pictures of the flower garden with different bug that we love to search for with our flash light.
Enjoy some simple fun today with your child.

2011-05-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

Simple Fun with your Little One

Paint outside with just WATER and an old paint brush
Sing Jesus Love Me to your child and insert their name; Jesus loves _____ this I know for the Bible tells me so!
Let them help you decorate the center of the dinning room table with? Put down a place mat our hand towel so they can get an idea of the size they are creating in, use their imagination a Lego creation,shells,a photo? Then set the table , eat and enjoy.
Staple some paper together to make a small book. Draw together, You make one too, then read them to each other.
Get some good smelling lotion and rub each others legs, feet or backs.
Tell them a bedtime story with a flashlight.
Take a listening walk. Birds, dogs,people,cars,,maybe just quiet:}
Write a love note for Daddy, you can too and put it where he will find it before the children go to bed, by his dinner plate maybe?

This is part of

The Simple Lives Thursday Blog Hophttp://gnowfglins.com/2011/05/11/simple-lives-thursday-44/

Give Away at Cheeseslave

2011-01-31T07:49:00.000-08:00

Hi you can go to http://www.cheeseslave.com/2011/01/31/giveaway-green-pasture-cod-liver-oilbutter-oil-gel-caps/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cheeseslave+%28CHEESESLAVE%29 Cheeseslave.com for a chance to win Green pasture cod liver oilbutter. We have been using it, but not in a capsule. My honey takes the gel, but think he'd like it a lot more if it was in a capsule:}
blessings to you

Loving your husband 24 days until Valentines Day

2011-01-21T09:19:00.000-08:00

I was just thinking I want to make this Valentines Day special for my husband. With 24 days to plan...I think this was mostly brought to my attention because of a Focus on the Family broadcast that I heard called Rekindling the Romance in your life. http://listen.family.org/daily/A000002623.cfm I know I don't have many ,if any, that stop by and read my thought here on Bless their hearts, but if you do come by I'd love any ideas that you have for loving on your husband.

Some I have thought of :
decorating our bathroom/ bedroom with camo colored hearts, bows and arrows

Somebody coming by may have a husband that they just don't feel like loving today. I can't know your curcumstance, but God does. Take it to Him in prayer.

What do you think?

Hear the New Testament in 40 days!

2010-12-20T15:15:00.000-08:00

This is a great resource for listening to the Bible. You can hear all of the New Testament in 40 days. The Podcast is called
You've Got The Time - ESV Bible (40-Day) - English Standard Bible
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/youve-got-the-time-esv-bible/id349510010

This is available on itunes. I think they also have applications for other tools such as Iphones etc. but I don't have one of those.

I plan to listen to this starting on Monday Jan. 3. I believe it will be a blessing to hear the whole New Testament over a relatively short period of time. To hear it like a big picture. I love to study verse by verse and even word by word. But, I look forward to hearing it in 40 days.

Want to join me?

Thanks Wardeh for your Simply Lives Thursday blog hop

Jesse Tree hearts ready for Christmas

2010-11-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hello out there in blog land
This is a quick note wondering if anyone comes across this is using a Jesse Tree to ready their hearts for Christmas. I'm going to... I'll add later if there is an interest. Please add your ideas if your going to use one or other way of preparing to remember the True meaning of Christmas

Losing Faith

2010-08-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Losing Faith
Click on the link above to see a short video with Ravi Zacharias on his new book, dealing with the subject of those who have lost their faith in Christianity.
Ravi Zacharias always has very thought out answers . Your thoughts?

The Secret to a Contented life

2010-08-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

If to live a simply life, one must have contentment how do you get that? This is part of http://gnowfglins.com/2010/08/04/simple-lives-thursday
(Any grammar teachers out there please be gentle if you need to correct me:}

The word content can be a verb, a noun or an adjective.
As a verb, " accept as adequate despite wanting something more or better". I was content to eat less. Maybe if I say that 100 times I will believe it! This is a contentment that comes with maturity. But, no matter how mature you are it can be hard to stay content when life gets hard.
Content as a noun, "a state of happiness or satisfaction". Contentment is being with my grandchildren. This is a contentment based on circumstances. It works when the object of my contentment is pleasing to me, such as my babies who I adore!
Do you want contentment that isn't contingent on you being mature or having circumstances that are pleasing to you?
Now listen please to the definition of content as an adjective, "in a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction" Now how do you get to that kind of place? I believe this happens when you know that the God who created the universe, spoke every star into being, who is all good, all knowing, all wise, this GOD Loves You!

During my course of Bible study over the past week I heard someone say,
To the degree that you believe that God loves you, that is to the degree that you will be able to trust Him.
In checking this out you might want to read Jeremiah 31:3 and 1John 4:19
Contentment comes from letting God fill the empty space in our hearts with His perfect love. Do you trust Him to do that?

Thank you for stopping by and reading my thoughts, come back soon Erin
(contentment definitions found in Oxford University Press)

Jeremy Camp - Jesus Loves Me

2010-07-30T03:00:00.001-07:00

Sewing for your home

2010-07-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

I found a wonderful site for those who like to sew for their home. Many of you might already know this site, but it is Sew4home.com This is a link for making napkins. http://sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/501-nature-brights-kitchen-mix-a-match-napkins The directions for making corners could be used on many home projects. I hope to post some pictures in the near future of my some sewing projects.... right now while the sun is shinning on the Oregon Coast, I'm either outside or if inside painting while I can.. enjoy hope the link works.

Contentment

2010-07-28T23:55:00.000-07:00

Contentment and living a Simpler life
This is part of Simple lives Thursday, http://gnowfglins.com/category/simple-lives-thursday/

I’ve recently been organizing my home, that is a joke I’m always organizing! Trying to get the stuff in my life to fit into the space in my life and home. Yes into the space of my life, time energy and resources. Also the physical space of my home, what out, what in storage such as closets and boxes. Although I desire to be in God’s will I’m also so attracted to the variety of “many good things”!

Finding a treasure,
While sorting through my knitting patterns last month, I came upon Grandma’s hand written afghan, coat hanger and slipper patterns. What a precious find amongst my clutter! She was content to use just a few patterns, shared from her friends to make all of her lovely hand knit gifts of love. The only variety found in her knitting , all the beautifully chosen colors. She could make those items in her sleep, maybe that is why she could finish so many hand made gifts.

I had a box of knitting magazines, another stack of knitting books and a number of knitting sites bookmarked on my computer. With all of these resources , yet very few completed projects. Maybe I have to many choices? Maybe I’d get more done if I was content to narrow down my choices?

Yikes, maybe I’d get more done if I narrowed down my craft categories, my cookbooks, my....

I pray, God what does this mean God. God help me use my space and time the way you want me to use it. As I sat quietly amongst my stuff in my spirit I heard God say, share some of this stuff. You don’t need it all to do my work. God wants me to do even more of this, give it away. Eliminate and concentrate. Be content.

If I’m not content with what God desires to be my possessions, space, life, then there is no gain in my trying to live a godly life. “But, godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment” 1Timothy 6:6
Has God spoken to you in the area of being content with fewer choices as part of your journey to live a simpler life? Thank you for taking the time to read my post, may it be a blessing to you.

Come back tomorrow to read The Secret to being content

christianaudio.com - christianaudio.com

2010-07-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

christianaudio.com - christianaudio.com

This months free audio book download from christianaudio.com is the Christian classic by A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"
Will you be down loading it? If you do come on back and tell us what you think.
Blessings

2010-07-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

Please stay tuned.... more to come on being a blessing to your husband.....

2010-06-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt to participate in the Tuesday Twister at GNOWFGLINS I've been taking their pay as you can e-class on traditional cooking and really learning a lot. This post is an attempt to catch up the things I've been making the past couple weeks.
First, lacto-fermented sauerkraut. My first attempts with out the GNOWFGLINs videos were not working, amazing how it works when you follow good instructions!

Water keifer. What I've learned... don't use store bought apricots... unless you like the taste of sulfur, need to dry my own this summer. Adding banana, I liked it my hubby didn't. Adding crystallized ginger.. yummy and for the hubby adding Black Cherry juice concentrate.. hubby said" this is good" hope it was still good for him!!

The best for last. Sometimes especially when you are learning new ways of doing things good enough is good enough. I hope this is an encouragement to all the busy Mommies trying to do their best. I had my grandson for a couple days and his two year old sister. Life got busy and the best I could do was to buy the healthiest peanut butter I could find and the best bread that they would eat and let them add fresh strawberries from the garden!

Bible Devotional

2010-06-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

I have been so blessed by the encouragement that I got from a recent Revive Our Hearts podcast that encouraged Bible memorization. I decided to work on the John 17. It is a chapter I love. By slowing down to learn it God has brought to my mind and heart, that Jesus has been given "authority over all flesh". So as I've been asking God to help me make healthy choices for my body and to give this just the right amount of attention, I am remembering that my body is not my own.

Your thoughts?

Garden

2010-06-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

Potatoes that I'm trying to grow in containers. Just yesterday I covered them 1/3 by soil and they have grown! Yeah,,, they must like our cool wet weather! Stay tuned

The wild flowers seem to love the rain and don't need a lot of sun!Bachelor Buttons

This little slug wants to eat my seedlings, ugh! I even found one inside this container, didn't think they could get in this!!! My first attempt with a "wall of water" to grow warm season crops in our cool weather. Think this is a lemon cucumber seedling

Garden

2010-06-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

slugs,,,, they have been eating my seedlings!
Wild flowers love the rain and do fine with little sunshine!
Bachelor buttons that come out blue, pink and purple, love them!
The one seedling not eaten yet by a slug!! Think this is a cucumber... trying the wall of water idea to see if it can make warmer season crops grow in our cool weather!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/traditional nutrition"/ondemand/feed.rss

2010-06-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/traditional+nutrition

This is an interesting interview with Sally Fallon. She has written a book called Nourishing Traditions. She has also written a book with Dr. Mary Enig called Eat Fat Lose Fat. Very interesting information. Dr. Enig has been studying fat for many years and has come to some conclusions about what fats are healthy and not. Her ideas are very different than what we have been taught for the most part. Her study of fat is worth looking into.
If you listen to the show I'd be interested to know what you think.
Blessings Erin

True Woman | Media & Articles

2010-05-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

True Woman Media & Articles
This link will take you to the many tools to educate you about the True Woman Movement. God Bless, Erin

Free Book offer

2010-05-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Join me in reading "Voices of the true woman movement" I read from the True Women blog that they are giving away free books. You can read from the link on my blog what their requirements are to participate. I plan to participate and will begin this journey in June. It would be fun to have you join me.

blessing, Erin

True Woman

2010-05-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hello
If anyone happens to pop by my blog, I want to encourage you to go to the True woman site referenced in my Title. You can find their site listed in my favorite blogs. I have learned much about the effect that the "woman's movements" started back in the 60's has had on my life. I choose to follow the woman's movement outlined in the Bible and get great help in doing this, by reading and following the information shared both by the Truewoman site and also Nancy Leigh DeMoss's site "Revive our Hearts". You can listen to Nancy either from her site or as a podcast via such sources as Itunes. http://www.reviveourhearts.com/
Happy Mother's Day
Erin

Fruit Trees and Berry plants

2009-05-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

I am so happy I just read that the two peach trees that we planted called, Suncrest are freestone. I forgot to think about that when we purchased them. I like to eat a freestone peach and I esp. like to work with one when baking or freezing them. Also I just read that they will blossom even if there is cold temps. That's a good thing living in the Oregon Coast where our springs can be as cool as say California's winter.
We have also planted strawberries this spring. Most are called June bearing berries. The boysenberries are looking very good with lots of blossoms ready to open. The dogs are already check on them so we will see who gets most of the fruit again this year. Last year they didn't ever get very sweet. I think this was due to cool temps. This more sour berry didn't stop our two labs from tasting them, actually they got more than we did and I don't' want that to happen again.
The third berry just started in our yard is our blueberry row. I planted early and mid season blue berries. I will put their names in a later post. The third kind of blueberry that I planted are an evergreen kind of bush. They grow lower and I believe have smaller berries. They look more like a huckleberry to me. All the kinds of berries are suppose to have very pretty foliage in the fall which is when next years berries begin.
I plan to continue journaling here about my berries. If you happen by and have an interest in growing berries, I'd love to hear from you.
blessings

Photos

2009-05-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi this is a little experiment to learn to post photos hope you enjoy.

Prayer

2009-04-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

I was recently reminded of a pattern for prayer called A.C.T.S., Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. It amazes me that the God of the universe desires a relationship with me. He doesn’t not require that my communication with Him follow a plan, He is my heavenly Father. He loves me and wants to spend time with me. But, using the A.C.T.S. pattern helps me remember to thank God for who He is not just what He is doing for me. It reminds me that daily cleansing is what I need as I confess my sins. So much to be thankful for and then to bring Him my concerns. God graciously showed me the verse in Psalm for the supplication section. I have come to learn that what I need more than anything is to know God and His will through study of the Bible.
The following verses from the NASB Bible helped me to focus on each part of the ACTS prayer pattern.
Adoration
Genesis 1 : 1-5
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spiit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day."
Confession
1John 1:5-10
"This is the message we have heard from Him and announced to you, that God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin,, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."
Thanksgiving
Psalm 103:10-12
"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heaven are above the earth, So great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Supplication
Psalm 19: 7-11
"The law of the Lord is perfect restoring the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The precepts of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes The fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever . The judgments of the Lord are true they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes more than fine gold; Sweeter than honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned."

John 17 Community Bible Study Devotion

2009-03-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Following is the devotional that I'm giving today at Community Bible Study. We are studying the book of John this year. If you happen to come by my blog I hope you are blessed by the reminder of how much our Lord Jesus loves you.

After I was told by our leadership that yes I could do the devotion the week,{ we are studing John 17}, I began to think and pray what should I share. What came to me was why do I want to share this week? Well, I love John 17! Then I thought why do I love it? As Ned, the leader of our men's core group often reminds us, "We love Jesus because He first loved us".

I have seen Jesus involved in different relationships as we have studied John. Within these relationships I have seen the different descriptions of our Lord. Some of these that stand out in my memory are Jesus the Creator, Jesus the healer, Jesus the Good Shepherd, glimpses of Jesus the King and for me in John 17 I see glimpses of Jesus the glorified uniting one, the bridegroom. I think I love this chapter not only for what it says, but, I love Jesus for allowing us to hear what He said to God the Father on our behalf.

My husband loves to remind me that he loved me before I loved him. That is a true statement. I believe some of my fist feelings of love for Doug were probably because of the fact that he did love me first. I can remember well the moment Doug first asked me out on a date. I was at a High School football game. An out of town game. I was walking with my girlfriends to the concession stand and Doug approached me. I was walking with several other girls and they waited while Doug talked to me. Doug is 4 years older than I so, I really didn't know him as well, as I know his younger siblings. Previous to this meeting Doug had been coming around our house. He'd taken some things to my sister and brother in law on in out of town trip for my Mom He'd come by and visited with my Father, I think he'd cut some weeks or gone duck hunting with him. Back to the football game. Doug asked me if I'd like to go out to dinner with him. I told him I'd need to ask my Father first, then he totally shocked me and said, "I did that before I came up here tonight and your Dad said yes".
We have been married for a little over 32 years now. The beginning our relationship looks a little like that of a Jewish betrothal and marriage. The Father of the bride is a very important part of the Jewish marriage.
Following some online searches I have learned some facts about what a traditional Jewish betrothal and wedding look like. As John 17 reminds me of Jesus the glorified uniting Bridegroom, I thought I'd share some of the parallels found between the wedding ceremony and the actions of Jesus the bridegroom.
The first step in the Jewish marriage, the bridegroom would make a trip from His Fathers house to the Brides house. Just as Jesus our bridegroom left heaven and came to earth. At this point there would be a negotiation for the price the bridegroom had to pay for the bride. This was between the groom and the brides Father. The father set the price. Just as our heavenly Father set the price that was needed to redeem us, that Jesus would give His life to take away my sins. Once this price was paid they would celebrate over a glass of wine and the marriage was a done deal. The bride now belonged to the bridegroom. The celebration consisted of drinking from a glass of wine, and a blessing would be given. Jesus celebrating the passover with the disciples takes the cup of wine. In Luke Jesus says, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood". So as in the marriage the done deal is sealed with the drinking of the wine and the blessing, so is the new covenant as was shared with the disciples. Yet, at this time the groom could not take his new bride with him. He would go away for 12 months. At this time he would go back to his fathers house and prepare a place to bring his new bride home to. During this time the bride would also prepare herself to be the wife to her husband.
This next step I want to quote from my online source because I just can't do it justice myself. I'm quoting Dr. Showers, from an articles called "Jewish Marriage Customs"
"At the end of the period of separation the groom would come to take his bride to live with him. The taking of the bride usually took place at night. The groom, best man and other male escorts would leave the grooms father's house and conduct a torch light precession to the home of the bride. although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the exact time of his coming. As a result the groom's arrival would be preceded by a shout. This shout would forewarn the bride to be prepared for the coming of the groom. After the groom received his bride together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party would return from the bride's home to the groom's father's house. Upon arrival there the wedding party would find that the wedding guests had assembled already."

In John 17 Jesus says to the Father that he wishes we could be with him. Someday that will be reality as Jesus our bridegroom comes to take us back to His Father's home.

I love the truths in John 17. One of my favorite simple truths is this found in vs 17 "Your Word is Truth" This statement is why I'm so passionate about supporting young families to take time to study God's Word. This why I'm praying for a children's program in Florence. This is why I know I must study God's word so that I know truth and am not confused by my own ideas or those that the world is teaching.

At this point in my devotional I' going to read John 17 and I encourage you to also read this wonderful chapter from the Word of God.
blessings.

Wall Gallery how to

2009-02-10T08:10:00.000-08:00

I had many photos were wrapped in paper in a box. But, how do I get them up on the wall in a nice arrangement with out putting numerous extra holes in my wall? Then I remembered something I had seen on TV, sorry I don't remember the source! They put a sheet or piece of paper down on the floor the size of the grouping. Then you can move photos around until your pleased. At this point you can be really careful and take measurements or just eye things. I did a little of each. I did figure where I wanted the center of my grouping to be on the wall. I then hung those two pictures first and worked out from the center. You'll notice I saved a major error by planning this out ahead. My first plan was to have the heirloom quilt in the middle then photos around. I liked the look much better to just use photos. Many of you have a great eye and wouldn't have made this mistake with out pre -planning. But , if you are like me and need to see it first this idea might help. I really like how the picture group has a round curve to the top of the arrangement.

I think my grand children will enjoy looking at pictures of themself. I really also think they will enjoy seeing their Moms when they were little!

2009-02-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Treasures or just stuff?
I am going through drawers and closets de cluttering my home. Many of you girls are doing this to get ready for a new baby or so that you can be more efficient home school Moms. I’m at a little different spot. My children are grown and I’m a grandma. But really at the heart of it we aren’t so different. We want to be able to do the business that God has given us to do in the most efficient way possible.
I’m working on a guest bedroom. A room where I keep a lot of treasures, seasonal stuff, family memorabilia etc. Are these things treasures? . Wanting to be wise I had prayed asking God to give me insight into what of this stuff do you think I need to keep and what should I get rid of? He brought to my mine the story of a rabbit cookie cutter.
When I was a little girl my grandmother always made her famous sour cream sugar cookies for all the holidays. Stars at Christmas, hearts for Valentines but the most special were the bunnies that she would make at Easter. Each bunny carefully had a red hot candy placed for the eye and a small marshmallow for the tail. I’m 50 so this has been a while ago!
When my grandmother died the only thing that all her grandchildren wanted was that cookie cutter! My grandmother was a very special lady. She was always knitting and I’m lucky to have her knitting basket. She went to church every Sunday and I’m also lucky to have her Bible. But because she shared the cookie cutter with us, letting us help her make the cookies, that was what we all wanted. Having it would help us hold onto the memory of being with her.
So as I go thru my spare room. With boxes of Christmas decorations, drawers of pictures, boxes holding hand embroidered pillow cases made from grandmothers no longer with us I wonder will my kids and grand kids want any of this? What will be special to them? I know for sure it won’t be special to them if its been sitting away in a box or drawer and we have never looked at it or used it together. So I’m encouraged to get rid of the junk, pull out the treasures. But mostly build memories with my family. Its not the stuff it’s the memories.
The spare bedroom I’m getting ready is for my grand kids to live in while their family is house hunting. My son in law is in the Coast Guard and being stationed 3 ½ hours away!! I want to have lots of time to garden with my grandson and get to know his soon to be one year old sister better. So out with the clutter and in with the fun!

Sugar Cookies
mix ingred into a large bowl
2 cups sugar creamed with 1 cup shortening (can be half shortening/half butter)
add
1 cup sour cream that you've dissoved 1 tsp. of baking soda in first
add
2 eggs, 1 tsp. of vinlla and 1 Tb. lemon juice
add 6 cups of flour
chill dough. Roll dough out thin for crisp cookies a little thicker for soft cookies
cut with cookie cutters or a glass dipped in flour
bake at 375 for 10-12 min.
You can sprinkle sugar on the cookies before baking or ice them after they've cooled.

Teaching children of God's faithfulness

2009-01-28T12:30:00.001-08:00

Today I’m being led to think about teaching our children about who our God is and what he has done in your life. In Joshua chapter 4, we can read where God told Joshua to have the priests each take a stone and place them right in the middle of the Jordan. Why there? Because that is the location they had stood carrying the Arch of the Covenant as the Israelites passed from the land where they had been wondering into the land that God had promised them would be theirs one day. The children would ask, Mom what are those stones doing in the middle of the Jordan? Mom could tell them of the time when their great God had been faithful to His word.
In my own life right now I’m remembering a time when God was faithful to care for another Joshua. My sweet, impulsive, fun, busy and sometimes stinky grandson. When Joshua was born he had a cyst attached to his tongue and going down his throat. By the time he was 7 weeks old he weighed less than when he was born. It took several tests to help the doctors figure out what was causing his problem. One of the tests was an MRI. God gave us peace during the illness and understanding to the doctors. God also designed Joshua with an amazing body. After the surgeons removed the cyst Joshua grew so fast. He is as far as we know a healthy 3 ½ year old little boy. But, there has been recently a little bump in the road. A doctor believes that Joshua has had a sudden vision change. So, he is scheduled for the second MRI in his short little life to make sure that he doesn’t have a brain tumor. God already knows the plans He has for Joshua and all of this has not caught God off guard.
I would encourage you to read Joshua 3 as well as Joshua 4. You’ll read ,God had the priests stand in the middle of the Jordan holding onto the arc while the people hurried by onto the safety of the dry land. God put himself right into the middle of the area where the people would be most frighted. As Joshua says in 3 verse "By this you will know that the living God is among you"
It is good to have outward reminders that the living God is with us. But, my prayer is that you know Jesus as Savior and have His Holy Spirit living in you. The Holy spirit will remind you on a daily basis that the Living God is with you. Feel free to leave a comment if you want to know more about Jesus as Savior or if you would like to share a time when God was faithful in your life. But mostly tell your children of the times God has been faithful to care for you or to care for them.

Suitable helper

2009-01-23T19:00:00.000-08:00

I Love studying God’s word. I really like looking at the words carefully. But, I must let you know that I’m not an expert. I’m using some online tools and still hoping that I’m using them correctly! Please always, always look up things I speak of from the scriptures, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. If you ever disagree with what I write please leave a comment. Also if you agree or have another thought leave a comment.
I am a wife and have been one for thirty-two years. I get understanding as to what is true from the Bible. So using the Bible to learn about womanhood and being a wife.
I read from Genesis 2:18, (NASB)
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him
a helper suitable for him"
The Bible goes on to tell us that Adam gave names to all the animals, "but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him" So then in verse 21 we learn how God made Woman fashioned the woman from a rib taken from the man.
God made women to be man’s helper. Helper is not always a role that is popular in our culture. The Webster definition for helper is, "an unskilled worker who assists a skilled worker" I have to say that doesn’t make it sound like a very honorable role. Maybe okay for someone starting out that is working toward being the skilled worker, but a role to have for life?
Several Bible teachers have taught me that to use scripture to help understand scripture is a good way to get clarity. So following that thought I looked in the Bible for other times the same word for Helper is used. In the 54 Psalm verse 4,
Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is sustainer of my soul
Okay if God, creator of all is willing to be called my helper than who am I to be concerned thinking the title is below me!
The second word that I find interesting in the Genesis 2:18 verse is the word, suitable. First I’d like to share Webster’s definition. " Adapted to a use or practice" Hmm do I like that idea? Then I looked at the original Hebrew word used for suitable. Neged, which means conspicuous or attracting attention. So not only was I made a helper, but the one I’m to help would be attracted to me. I like that idea. The good news for me is that my dear husband after 32 years of marriage is still attracted to me, now that is a miracle!!!
What do you think? Is being a women and if you’re a wife something you enjoy? Is it hard for you right now? Are you loving it? No matter where you are it is okay to talk to God and tell Him your struggles. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and look to the Bible for your answers.
Blessings , Erin

Knitting slippers

2009-01-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hello
I found this slipper pattern at Mary Hunt's blog. The women with all the wonder ideas about staying within your budget. As she said they are fun to make. The hard part for me will be if I can save them to give as Christmas presents next year or give them to my grandchildren now!! They are so cute,,, oh yes the slippers are cute too!
Blessings

2009

2009-01-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

2009 is here. May it be a year that you look at the creation in wonder and at the creator for guidance.
Blessings

Advent

2008-11-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I posted anything. Honestly I'm still trying to figure out if God desires I spend time on this blog. I know he desires that I connect up with young Moms and encourage them in their wonderful yet sometimes tiresome job of raising children. Important job of loving their own husbands and caring for their home. With all those duties stated I also must say I want to encourage you to spend time with your Lord. A great way to do that this time of year is to celebrate Advent in your home. Advent is not a celebration mentioned in the Bible. Yet I believe that slowing down to remember why Jesus came to earth as a baby is so important. Of course you can do this with out using the Advent candles but it is a fun way and children enjoy the lighting of each candle. Advent starts this Sunday and goes until Christmas day. There are four candles each representing a special part of the Christmas story. The first candle is generally called the prophecy candle. In Micah 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago from the days of eternity." God always planned from the days of eternity passed that our Saviour would be born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means house of bread. Of course it is also the birth place of David. Because Joseph was from David's family tree he had to go back to Bethlehem during the census.
Above is a craft I made to share with my grand kids. You may enjoy making a paper angel with your little ones. The shapes of the body and arms are bell shapes. I just used some left over scrap booking paper but you could even use gift wrap. If you feel you need a pattern there are lots of free craft sites on line.

Let me know if you plan to start the tradition of celebrating advent in your home.
may God bless your heart as you do the work He has given you to do today.
Nanny

Loving my hubby and being subject to him honors God

2008-09-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hello again
First an update on the DVD that I made my grand daughter. It was something she did enjoy. I'm not sure if she has continued to ask to view it, but I know she has watched it several times. Also of great joy to me, after she watched it she talked on the phone to me a little about it. That was fun. She and her Mommy made up some play dough too just like I had done on the video using the kool aide I sent her. My daughter said, "they had a blast". When I asked my grand daughter if she wanted me to make more videos she said , "yes" I asked if she liked the books read best or crafts. She liked the crafts so I will be including more of those and send along the things for she and my daughter to make together too.
I did get a good idea from another long distance grandma. She takes her books to read to her grand daughters when visiting and brings them home. That way they ask her to read a book on the video chat that they have enjoyed together in person. I have always taken books and left them with my grand babies but I'm going to try my friends idea next time I get to visit.
If there is anyone out their reading, grandma's or daughters I'd love for you to respond with your ideas on keeping grand kids and grandparents connected.

The hmmmm that I had today while study my Bible was that in Titus 2. We are told in a list to "love our husbands",, then it goes on to other duties then ends with "be subject to our own husbands". They say in education that we remember the first and last thing in a list. I believe God on purpose listed the things we wives are to do in the order that he put them. First so we would see the priority of loving our husband and then to accentuate how important the relationship we have to our man of being "subject to him" is honoring or dishonoring to God. What do you all think?

Grandparenting from a distance

2008-08-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hello out their in blog world.

I haven't written in my blog for a while, but thought I'd try again. I'd love to share ideas with other long distant grandmothers. This past week I came upon information on line about a book written by Ellen Banks Elwell. I'm trying to restrain myself from buying every book out their that looks interesting. Anyone else have that problem??? Anyway their was an excerpt from her book that gave me an idea. It suggested making your Grandchildren video's of you not only reading them books, but doing simple craft projects. So, using the program on my computer , I taped myself making some play dough. I haven't sent the DVD off yet to my grand daughter but I hope it holds her attention. I felt a little silly playing Martha Stewart but I'll be silly if that is what it takes to stay connected to my grand kids! I also read a book and did a little finger play that went with the story.... okay I should add at this point that I am a semiretired preschool teacher. But I'm sure you could do this just as well if it sounds of interest to you. Ellen suggested that you say the child's name and pretend that they are really with you. So my neighbors probably think that I'm a little off if they could hear me , but that's okay too.

If their are any young Mom's reading this God bless you. Share ideas from your point of view how we long distant Grandma's can be of help. Hope you have found an adopted Nana close to help you out!

Here is the play dough recipe in case anyone needs one. I gave mine to my church after I made .

God bless you out their, please let me know if you read my post. Would love to learn from you and know if this has helped at all.

Nana

Mix dry ingredients

2 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

2 packages of Koo laid

2 Tb. cream of tartar

Boil

2 cups of water

3 Tb. of oil

Add wet to dry and stir. If play dough is a little sticky let it cool a little before you start adding more flour. Sometimes as it cools it gets less sticky and you don't want to much flour or it will dry out quickly. Store in a covered container or plastic bag after cooled..