A Late Christmas Post

I thought that I would share some pictures from the holidays....Our church here had a cookie exchange for the woman of the church. It was my first cookie exchange and I totally loved it. All the woman who came baked 4 dozen cookies, and then we had a lovely dinner with yummy food that the woman brought. Then we had a devotional and then exchanged our cookies. All the cookies were laid out on the table and we went in a circle around the table taking one cookie from each plate and kept going until they were all gone. These are just some of the cookies that we brought home. If you have never had one of these at your church, it would be a great thing to try.
                                    These are some of the cookies that we brought home 

                                          These are the cookies I made for the exchange

                                           Made these cupcakes for our family....

              I also made chocolate gingerbread cookies...it was my first time making this recipe

     Then my daughter and I decorated them...not too bad for the first time making this recipe!

                                                           And finally...our Christmas Ham

Hope that you all had a great holiday!

Living Simply...

In our culture today, the more you have it seems the more happy we are. Or are we? Sometimes I get frustrated when the house and all its "things" are calling my attention, but yet the kids also need me. I have been tending to think a bit on what it would be like to live for a bit with no tv, and less "things". How would it change our family? Would we become closer as a family? I just tend to think that it would bring some peace from all the rucus that we sometimes get. You know, the noise of the tv that nobody is watching...the less mess to clean and more time with my kids...more peaceful time spent with them,time to teach them.  Less toys to fight over and less fuss over them cleaning up the way too many toys they have. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to clear the clutter and enjoy life  with a little less things. I tend to be one of those people who likes materialistic things. I think that it would be hard to get rid of some of the things I like. But I sometimes wonder...will we regret it when our kids are older that we did not give up "stuff" and a lot of the tv? Will we wish that we had spent less time watching the tube and letting it influence them in unchristian ways? Just some thoughts...

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LUKE 2:1-20

Wednesday Scriptures

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Luke 2:7-14

Praise The Lord!!!

Tips For Homeschooling Moms

When you say your going to do it...do it.

When you see that your kids need your undivided attention...stop what you are doing and give them your undivided attention. Sometimes when we least want to stop and have a chat, is when our kids are most willing to talk to us. I think that kids often feel more important when they feel that we will stop what is important to us and focus on them.

Make sure to have some fun...plan a fun activity at the beginning of the day and then do it. When you plan an activity a lot of times you will be more apt to do it.

You don't always need to spend money to do fun things. Our kids love it when we play a game with them, play play dough, read books.

Don't plan too many activities. I think that many people feel like they are letting their kids down when they don't sign them up with all the sports and activities, but remember that spending time with your kids is so valuable. They will only be young once. Maybe keep it to one sport or activity a school year.

Moms...when you feel the need to change things that need to be changed...take it one thing at a time. It is so easy to feel like we need to be better and make things better in our life, but it doesn't all happen at once.

When you plan your school days don't plan too much. Get the basics done, and then try to fit in the extra things you want to do for the school day. Remember to leave extra time for things that may come up.

And finally bathe your day in prayer. Ask the Lord to bless you day. Don't forget to pray for your husband and children.

And when things don't go as planned...take them in stride. Remember your children are watching you. They will learn from you how to act. Teach them. Guide them. Our actions will be the example they get.

On the Beach

What a great day. We spent the evening at the beach eating ice cream. I love the evenings when we are able to end the day at the beach. There was a beautiful sunset that would have made some great pictures, but I didn't have my camera with me. There were clouds and the sun was shining thru them and there was this rock jutting out of the ocean. Made me think of the verse that talks about God being our rock. You know we always hear about God being our rock and our refuge in a storm, and it just would have made a great picture to go along with any of the scripture verses. It almost is like God's creation just speaks of Him sometimes.
I think that this is a great verse...
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Psalm 19:1

Christmas Favorites

Since it is almost Christmas, I thought that I would post a couple of Christmas movies that we like to watch.
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty Returns
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Christmas with the Kranks
Thomas Kinkades's Christmas Cottage...a really great movie. My husband and I both liked this one. A great holiday movie. Very moving.
I'd love to hear what your favorite Christmas movies are!
Merry Christmas!

Wednesday Scriptures

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, thet He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:22-28

Please Pray...

Please keep this family in prayer.
http://www.hslda.org/hs/international/Sweden/201012130.asp
more of their story is here
http://www.hslda.org/hs/international/Sweden/201006140.asp

This family also needs your prayers.  They are seeking asylum in New Zealand so that they will have freedom to homeschool.
http://www.hslda.org/hs/international/NewZealand/201012080.asp

Children In Church

I am a firm believer in children being in church with their parents. It drives me crazy when I walk into a church and feel that my children are not welcomed in the sanctuary. I don't like it when I walk into a church and they are so eager to get my children into the nursery or children's church. I want our children to learn to sit in the service and listen. I want them to learn to hear what the preacher is saying. I want them when they are older to have a love of the Lord and a good foundation in the church. When we walk in a church and are informed about the nursery, I just politely turn it down. I think that when children are entertained during church, that many kids when they are too old to be entertained either lose interest in church or they tend to find a church that is more entertainment and less on the good old fashioned Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now don't get me wrong, I like Sunday School and Awanas, but on Sundays, children should be in church with their parents. Parents need to learn how to teach their little ones how to sit in church. And when the little ones are too small to understand, then it is nice when a church will provide a mother's room where you can still hear the sermon, but can tend to the little ones needs. I think that too many parents tend to rely on the nursery because they don't know how to teach their children to sit in church. I think that it's sad. I know that this is an opinion that not a lot of people will agree with me on, but think about it. Consider it. When you have your children in church with you, talk to them when church is over. Help them to understand what was being said. Help them learn the hymns at home. What a great blessing it is to be able to raise our little ones to love the Lord!

A Link

I was over at Passionate Homemaking and I wanted to share a link to it. There is a great post there about us serving the Lord when we serve our families. Hope you check it out.

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/

A Relaxing Day

I was so blessed yesterday to have a relaxing day. This has been a long week that went by quickly...an oxymoron right? Well yesterday my oldest got his schoolwork done in record time, and we were able to have some fun. The kids played in a new tent and in the indoor ball pit. The youngest took his nap, and I even got to read. So nice. And there even was little fighting. I am currently reading a book that I have had for a while. It is called REVOLUTION IN WORLD MISSIONS by K.P. Yohannan.  If you would like to read it you can get a free copy at http://www.gfa.org/offer/freebook/. Really puts missions in a whole new light.
Have a great weekend!
      

Games

Can you tell we like to play games?

    I was cleaning a while back and couldn't resist taking this picture!

Wednesday Scriptures

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.


Psalm 139:1-10

Things I Would Like To Do

Today is about 10 things that I would like to do, or like doing:

1. Photography...I love taking pictures...no where near an expert, but still love it.

2. Sewing...can do a little but need to learn more.

3. Play the Piano...would like to learn.

4. Gardening...love to Garden

5. Baking...love to bake

6. Sign Language...would like to learn

7. Build a big sand castle

8. Live in Germany

9. Read thru my Bible in a Year

10. Go Parasailing

11. Learn to play the Guitar

I would enjoy hearing what you enjoy doing or would like to do.

Praying For The Persecuted Church

This post is about praying for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church. I feel strongly that we need to remember them daily in our prayers. We also can give where there is opportunity. The Bible says to "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also." (Hebrews 13:3) Many of these brothers and sisters in the faith are often mistreated and thrown in jail. Many of their families are left to fend for themselves while their husbands are arrested and put in jail. When Peter was in jail, the Bible says that "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." (Acts 12:5) Please remember to keep these persecuted brothers and sisters in your prayers. They suffer much for the Lord.

I also would like to put up a link to VOM. They deliver Bibles to countries where Bibles are not available like China and North Korea. They also assist Christian prisoner's families and those Christians who are in prison.
http://www.persecution.com/
These dear brothers and sisters in the Lord have set such an example for us. Remember them in your prayers. It's the least we can do for them.

As a side note... Americans are so blessed to have God's word at their fingertips. We can get a Bible almost anywhere. We can freely worship God. We have the freedom to teach our children about the Lord, and we have the freedom to witness to others. We have the Bible...our best resource in the world and sadly, many hardly open it, let alone follow it. We should remember to thank the Lord for all the blessings that we have here in America.

Wednesday Scriptures

I have decided to start posting Wednesday Scriptures on my blog. So here is the first one...

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldy lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Titus 2:11-15

Homeschooling

I thought that I would share a little bit of things that I have learned from homeschooling. I have two that are school age and one that we do a little bit of preschool with. The youngest joins in with us for some activities.

Things I have learned...

1)Your attitude affects your children. When your children have a bad attitude, oftentimes they picked it up from you.

2) When we complain about things...so do our children.

3) A lot of times things won't go as planned...take things in stride, keep a positive attitude.

4) Sometimes we need to stop our agenda and spend time just talking and being with our kids. We can tend to take the attitude that we have so much to do and try to hurry and get it done, and in the process we alienate our children's needs.

5) Listen...listen to what your kids are saying. Even if it seems unimportant, just listen to them. Engage in conversations that they want to have.
6) Take time to spend quality time with each child individually...this can be especially important when you have children of varying ages. Play a game with the oldest. Read a book to the youngest.
7) Find some extra subjects that you as a family can learn about together. Study a country, or make a school scrapbook, or learn about the ocean...
8) Let the older children get involved in the younger children's work. Let them recite the learning charts with the little ones. The younger kids look up to the older kids and this gives them a great opportunity to learn together.
9) Get out of the house...plan days to go to the beach or take a walk to the park, or go visit the zoo.

10) This is for preschoolers...you don't need all the expensive curriculum. Some less expensive flashcards, and the 3 dollar learning books in the bookstore are just fine. The internet has a wealth of free coloring pages that you can use.

11) Always expect obedience the first time that you tell them to do something. This may be frustrating at first, but it can make your days much easier once this is learned. Don't yell and threaten them with punishments. Make it known that you expect them to obey you the first time, and let them know ahead of time what the punishment will be for not obeying you.

Homeschooling is a wonderful blessing. We are blessed to be able to homeschool. There are countries that do not allow homeschooling. Germany is one who does not allow homeschooling. I encourage all homeschoolers to go and read about what some of these families go thru when they try to teach their children at home. Keeping these families in your prayers is so important.

Also some encouragement to struggling homeschooling mothers. Keep on! You can have some really hard days, weeks, or months. But just keep on. Try new schedules and routines. See what works best for your family. Look to others for advice, but remember that what works for one may not work for another. Remember to take your needs to the Lord.

Reading Books

Our kids love to have books read to them. A while ago I bought a set of the Little House on the Prairie books. We are reading thru them together. The kids sit on the couch or sit on the floor with popcorn while I read to them. The little guys might not understand all that we are reading, but I think that it helps them learn to love reading. I hope that when our kids are older that they all love reading. Anyways I thought that I would post up some of our books we like.
Toot and Puddles by Holly Hobbie
Thomas and Friends
Curious George by H.A. Rey
Dr Seuss

Would love to hear what some of your favorite books are.

Football

OK. It is football day here, and we are BIG Nebraska Cornhusker Fans!!! So
GO BIG RED!!!
Beat Texas A&M!!

Learning Discipline

I love to eat junk food. I can snack all day on it. But the older I get the more bad effects I get from that junk food. I feel yucky. I don't feel like doing anything. I am grouchy. But when I lay aside the junk food and drink water and eat salads, I feel so much better. I have much more energy. I don't feel gross, and well you have to admit...the belly looks better!!! And my attitude is so much better. More patience with my children and just a happier me. I guess that it is kindof like that with the television. I notice that sometimes when I watch a lot of tv, it seems to affect my attitude. My housework suffers, I would rather watch a show than spend time with my children. But when I shut off the tube, there seems to be so much time to do things. I can actually hear what my children are saying and I am not preocupied with...let's face it...a tv show that is not at all important in my life. I think that when it comes to the Lord that we can put so many "unimportant" things in our life that we can't hear him. We always have the tv on or the radio on. Or we are just so busy there is no time to hear him. Or we eat so much food that we are too full and lazy to pray. The Bible says to be still and know that I am God. It is hard to learn to be disciplined, but what great rewards we can reap from it.

Being Debt Free

My husband and I are working towards becoming debt free. We can't wait for the day that we owe money to no one. What a great feeling of freedom that will be. We are great fans of Dave Ramsey. The longer we listen to the radio show, the dumber getting credit seems. I wish young people could learn that it is so much wiser to pay cash and move ahead in life debt free. Even if that means that you drive a less than desirable car. Even if you have to wait to get your house looking great with new furniture. What a blessing we can be to our children to teach them how to live debt free. That there is no shame in having less than the Jones' have. We help strengthen their future marriages by teaching them how to handle their money, so that when they are married they already have a foundation in finances and probably a lot less fighting over money. I feel that as parents this is such a valuable lesson that we need to teach our children, and so important.

Pukefest

Wow! This week we have had 4 people in our house sick and puking. Yuck. The smell is enough to knock you over. Praise the Lord for a great husband. We were out at the store tonight and our daughter upchucked all over him. He was as calm as could be and so sweetly took her to the car. Such a great Daddy. And Praise the Lord for my carpet cleaner. Such a help!!! Hope this all passes soon.

Thankfulness

Some things to be thankful for:



Our Bibles...that we can read them and memorize them and have them openly in our country.

Our Family

Our Health

The Ability to Homeschool our Children

The Good Elections

Everything that we need supplied to us

Our cars

A Home


What are you thankful for? As Thanksgiving comes around look for all the things that the Lord has given to you and give thanks!

Organization and Cleaning

Today is a cleaning day as well as a homeschool and baking day. So far I made muffins and am baking bread. I have to say that a newly cleaned house just makes me so happy. I have come to learn that when I stay up a little later in the evening and prepare our school lesson for the next day and have the house all cleaned and ready to go, that we have a much better day and it just makes me happy to see a clean house. But there are always days for catching up on cleaning and organizing. And today is one of those days. Boy how I love a clean house! And the smell of fresh bread is always nice.

Baking

I love to bake! I hate the cleanup. Ha Ha Ha. Today our daughter came up while I was baking and put her little chef hat on and brought in a stool so she could watch me and help me. So cute. It all went well until a rotten egg and do I ever mean rotten egg was cracked into the cheesecake I was making. I could have kicked myself. Four packages of cream cheese and one and a half cups of sugar down the drain...I should have cracked that egg into a separate bowl. One of life's little lessons...We still love to bake tho! My sweet husband saved the day and ran out to the store and got me some more cream cheese.

Enjoying the Moment

I think sometimes that we mothers often tend to forget to enjoy the moment. We can sometimes get frustrated with our little ones when there is a lot of fighting, and instead of stopping our "important" things and just sitting on the floor teaching them how to get along and enjoy one another...we tend to yell or punish. I think that we end up loosing out...our children loose out. How about when we are looking forward to something that will happen next year...maybe to be out of debt. And we spend all our time thinking about what we don't have now and what we can have then. There is another moment lost. A moment to enjoy what we do have now. A moment to teach our children to be thankful. Let's not forget to be thankful for what the Lord has done for us. Let us thank Him for what we have. Let our spirits be joyful, and let's teach ourselves and our children to really enjoy what the Lord has given us and to enjoy the moment.


Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you have given our families. Help us to be thankful for what you give us and to teach our children to be thankful.

Thankfulness

You know recently it has come to my attention that I am just not thankful enough for the everyday things that I have in life. I think that everyone tends to take for granted what we have. You know, we tend to complain about the many things that we don't like and we focus on what we are going to do or to get in the future. But I think that many of us don't stop to really enjoy what we have here and now, and we don't spend near enough time really giving thanks to God for all that we have. While we sit around and in our hearts mope for what we wish that we had or wait for what is coming in the future, we are missing out on what we have NOW and missing out on enjoying it to the full, and on  what the Lord has given us. Let's take every day and enjoy it to the full. Let's thank the Lord with grateful hearts for what we have!

Thank you Lord for our husbands, for our children, for the blessings that you have given us to raise and someday send out there for Your Glory. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us so that we may have life eternal. Thank you for our husbands who work so hard so that we can have the blessing of staying home and raising our children for Your glory! We ask your forgiveness for all the complaining that we have done and for all the unthankfulness that we have held in our hearts. We ask that You will give us truly joyful spirits for all that we have and for every day that you give us on this earth. Help us to lead our children to you. Help us to be good examples to them. And let us show them how to be truly thankful for all that you have given to us.

Traditions

I love the fall. It is a beautiful time of the year. The leaves changing colors and falling off the trees. The pumpkin patches to visit. The chill in the morning air. The excitement for the holidays, and the yummy smell of goodies in the oven. Hot cocoa. It is great. Now that we are overseas and don't get the enjoyment of having all four seasons, I miss fall. But nonethelesss we still enjoy having the cocoa and the holidays. As a military family it is good to come up with your own little family traditions. For years we lived  near our family and celebrated almost every holiday with them. Now that we are overseas, we don't have that luxury. But what made it a little better was that we had already started some of our own little family traditions. For instance, while we always celebrated Christmas Day with family, on Christmas eve we as our own little family would have a Christmas eve dinner and go look at the Christmas lights, and sometimes we would go to a late Christmas eve service. It was really nice to have some traditions so that while it was hard not having family near for the holidays, we had some of our own traditions to fall back on. Let me encourage you, if you are far away from your own extended family on this upcoming holiday season, make some traditions and celebrate them with your family. Even if you are close by, it is always nice to have some traditions that are your own.

Patience

I am not a patient person. I want things done right now, the right way, and right on time. I hate waiting. I don't like to wait for things. I hate having to sit and wait on a situation to get fixed, or an answer to come. Right now we are waiting. Waiting for an important answer to something. While we wait I also wonder, "Did we make the right choice?" All the what if's come up. All the "did we do the right thing" comes up. It is hard to wait. In the Christian's life often we must wait on God to answer. Sometimes it seems like the answer will never come. Sometimes it seems like God is far away. Sometimes it can seem like there will never be a good solution to something that you have been waiting on. Why does God make us wait? Is it to learn patience? The Bible says to wait on the Lord. It says those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. Waiting is hard, but I think that sometimes in the hardest of times, that God teaches us how to be patient, how to sit and be able to hear His voice, because sometimes when we are quiet we can hear Him better. The Bible says to be still and know that I am God. How hard it is to be still, and to wait. But sometimes what a growth it can be in our walk with God. And sometimes what great things we can learn and more polished we can become.

Family Time

Family time can be such a great time. But all too often family time is thought of as sitting around the tv, or playing on the computer, or with video games. I would like to put a challenge out there. Spend some family time together with the electronics off. Set aside one day or one evening a week, that is electronic free. Here are some ideas. Take a family walk...one of my favorites. Look around at God's creation and talk about what God created, and how amazing it is, how blessed we are to enjoy such a beautiful world. This can also be a learning time...you can teach about the local trees and birds etc... Another fun thing if you have small children, take them to the bookstore and let them buy some books. Spend the evening reading. If you are looking to be money conscious go to a used bookstore. You might be lucky enought to be able to trade some old books for some new ones. Another favorite thing to do in our house is to play games. You can even let your little ones make up their own games. They will think that it is great that you are so interested in the game they made. One last thing...go to the park let the kids play and enjoy a great picnic lunch. Your kids are only little for so long so get out there and have fun with them.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for looking. I have never blogged before, but I have been reading lots of other blogs. So I have decided to start my own. I plan to share thoughts about day to day things, stuff from the Bible, and family type stuff. So thanks for looking and check back soon.