Finding Life.
March 10, 2010
The sun was shining and the day looked promising. A little girl was gladdened to find that the weather had warmed. The earth seemed refreshed to see the sun’s shining face again, in hopes that new life would begin springing from it’s soil.
A bright and cheery day it was, and so out the little girl went in search of something very, very special.
It was a bit like an adventure, searching here and there for the treasure. A treasure that when found, would bring a bright smile to her face. A treasure that gave hope for a lovelier tomorrow.
Exploring she went, looking high and low. But she could not find what she so eagerly sought.
Just as she began to think that she just might have to wait another day before finding what she sought, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a tiny patch of green.
She hurried over to where the long-searched for treasure was. That little patch of green brought a bright and beautiful smile to her face.
The happy beam of sunshine that shone through those little green stubs made her think about the flowers that would one day bloom, giving her happiness in knowing that Spring was truly on its way.
Nothing said Spring quite as well as the little green knobs which peaked up from the leaf-covered soil.
Finding that little bit of new life was worth the searching and worth the wait . . .
. . . and because of all the waiting and searching, the finding was all the more sweet.
Passion and Preparation
March 8, 2010
The Lord brought these verses at a most timely moment:
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” —Hebrews 13:5-6
Daddy read aloud Hebrews 13 during family worship, and it was a wonderful reminder that God gives us exactly what we need at the exact time we’re in need of it! (Proverbs 15:23.)
Before this was read, we had been discussing the future – including marriage and children and the generations to come. Breezy and I are eagerly looking forward to having families of our own and implementing into the lives of our children the many wonderful things our parents have taught us.
Yet, in the Lord’s good timing, He has not given us our families yet. We must wait patiently on God, and serve Him in where He has placed us.
We are passionate about the future, but are we passionate about today?
It is easy to look at the future and imagine how wonderful it will be, because “the grass is always greener on the other side,” right? Right?
We may imagine that it is so, but that doesn’t make it true.
We know not what the Lord’s plan is, but we do know that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) and that “He will never forsake [us]” (Hebrews 13:5).
The future is the future for a reason – it is not today.
Let us be content in today. Content in where the Lord has placed us. Content in what the Lord has blessed us with. As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
Today we can prepare for the future and become better equipped for the Lord’s will. Right now we can be living each and every day for the glory of God and faithfully serve Him where He has placed us and with what He has blessed us with.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” —Luke 12:48b
Let us be passionate about today, glorify our Savior in devoting every minute to obeying Him, building His Kingdom and preparing for His will in His timing!
An afternoon of reading with a cup of tea . . .
February 9, 2010
“In the same way that God designed all of creation in its undeniable perfection and beauty, He handcrafted each girl’s situation with exquisite precision. He chose the exact parents, position, and opportunities that would best fulfill His purposes for her life and bring Him glory. . . continue reading.”
—Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin at Visionary Daughters
“I don’t think that any woman could prepare long enough to perfectly execute this list [in Titus 2:3-5]. But it is my duty to aim to follow this standard that God has set. . . . And what better way to practice being a keeper at home than to learn the ins and outs from my mother, who has wells of wisdom on the subject! And who could think of a better way to prepare to submit to a husband, whether he’s right or wrong, than to practice in a daughters relationship to her father? . . . continue reading.”
—Stephanie at In His Time
“It is when we create things for God’s sake that our work most clearly promotes His glory, rather than threatening to compete with it. Thus the true purpose of art is the same as the true purpose of anything: it is not for ourselves or for our own self-expression, but for the service of others and the glory of God.”
—Philip Graham Ryken in Art for God’s Sake
Delicious Stuffed French Toast
February 6, 2010
Yes, stuffed French Toast. As if French toast wasn’t good enough—it just got better!
This morning my dear mother prepared this delightful dish! We ate it while listening to Mr. Botkin’s Saturday Morning Online Mentoring.
Stuffed French Toast
1 loaf French bread, cut into 8 diagonal slices (making very large slices)
1 cup homemade cream cheese (recipe below)
1/2 cup fruit preserves (we used peach)
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Cut a each thick bread slice almost in half by cutting from the top crust almost to the bottom crust, making a pocket. Be careful to not slice completely through the bread. Mix cream cheese and preserves in small bowl. Spoon cream mixture evenly into each pocket.
Beat eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a small bowl, until well mixed. Dip stuffed bread slices in egg mixture, making sure to let the excess drip off.
Spray griddle (our favorite!) or skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Cook bread slices over medium heat until golden brown, flip, and cook on other side.
For extra beauty, sprinkle each slice with powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup, fruits, and/or whipped cream, if desired. Makes 8 slices of delicious Stuffed French Toast!
Homemade Cream Cheese
(it’s as easy as can be!)
1 1/2 cups nonfat plain yogurt
Line strainer with cheese cloth. Place strainer in bowl, large enough to hold the drained liquid without touching the strainer. Let strain in refrigerator for 4-8 hours. Discard the liquid in the bottom of the bowl.
The homemade cream cheese is what is left in the strainer! You can do this the day before it is needed, and store the cream cheese in a container after being drained.
We all thought it tasted delicious! The filling was great, but I think we put a little too much in the pocket. Next time we’ll put in less, and it will be perfect!
A Farewell & A Welcome: The beginning of 2010 . . .
January 1, 2010
It does seem odd that 2009 is now finished, having just completed it’s course in our time zone. This past year has been one that I shall never forget! It has been one filled with surprises, joyous fellowship, unimaginable projects, and the love of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This year has had its ups and downs, but looking back I can see how the Lord uses even the little things to prepare His people for what He has in store for them – whether they are around the corner or on the other side of a steep and treacherous hill.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28
We began 2009 with many plans and goals. Some we accomplished, some have been postponed, and some may never be even started. But God is faithful, and has blessed us with far more than we could have ever planned, expected, or anticipated! What a comfort to remember that,
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” —Proverbs 16:9
We have been able to look back and see our Creator’s mighty hand working things according to His perfect plan and purpose. We can delight in the Lord in both joyous times and sorrowful times because we know that He is sovereign and in control. We must trust in Him with all of our heart,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
With thankfulness and joy I say farewell to 2009 . . . not because things were unpleasant, but because I am ready to find out (in His timing) what God has in store for the future!
Saying goodbye to this past year does not mean that it shall not be spoken of again, as I am sure that this will be a year spoken of for many decades to come, but that we are saying hello to a new year!
As we enter the year of our Lord 2010, may we be drawn ever closer to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be found faithful to what He has called us to do!
A Homemade Christmas #4: Review
December 29, 2009
Welcome to A Homemade Christmas! This is No. 4 of 4 A Homemade Christmas events.
I hope you’ll join us in sharing about homemade gifts, decorations, foods, and/or handmade things that made your home extra special for Christmas!
{Feel free to learn more about A Homemade Christmas here.}
I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas celebrating our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We had a lovely time here at home and with extended family. (We are also very glad to have Daddy home until after the first of the new year!)
{Pictures to come, but in the meantime you can look here.}
Our gift-giving was very small, but most delightful! Mom surprised Breezy and I with homemade ornaments that she was working on over the past week (we didn’t realize how many she actually made until we opened our packages). (You can view a picture here.)
Momma also crocheted Breezy and I each an afghan in our colors of choice. They are beautiful and cozy, and most definitely large enough for ourselves and a few wee ones! (You can view pictures here.)
I gave Mother-Dear a pair of fingerless gloves (the set pictured here) and a crocheted wallet/cough drop holder/receipt case. She knew she was going to receive them, and even got to use them before Christmas Eve.
Also, this coming week I will have a happy little download for my readers! I think you’ll enjoy it and you just might end up adding it to your list of things to do for next Christmas!
Thank you all for joining me for A Homemade Christmas! It has been such a pleasure to see what you have been creating! Thank you for sharing, and I hope you’ll join us again next year (Lord willing) in 2010 for another round of A Homemade Christmas!
Did you have A Homemade Christmas? I invite you to join me here by adding your link to your post about homemade gift(s), decorations, foods, and/or handmade things that made your home extra special for Christmas!
To join us in wrapping up, just sign Mr. Linky below (make sure you use the direct post link). You can get the codes and instructions for adding an A Homemade Christmas icons to your blog by clicking here. This Linky will be open for two weeks.
View Other A Homemade Christmas Posts:
. . . happiness and cheer.
December 25, 2009
On Christmas Eve we had a delicious dinner of Pork Chops and Rice. We only have this meal one or two times a year, making it extra special. The Chops are lightly breaded and we sprinkle the rice with brown sugar.
After our meal Breezy and I read aloud a few poems, a story, and sang duets of several of our favorite Christmas carols by the candle light.
Bently wishing he new what was in the five packages behind him under the tree. He was quite the patient puppy . . . and he was well rewarded with a stuffed squeaking beaver (just a toy, just a toy) and some very special dog treats. He especially enjoyed pretending the beaver was a rat.
But first Daddy read aloud the story of Christ’s birth from Luke 1:57-2:40.
Little packages under the tree. We were low on brown paper, so Momma cut up a small brown paper sack which worked perfectly!
Hand-embroidered ornaments from my dear mother – what a delightful surprise! She finished them on the morning of Christmas Eve. These will be safely tucked away into my hope chest.
Momma crocheted Breezy and I each an afghan in our colors of choice. We were allowed to see them while she was working on them . . . until they grew large and she kept them hidden. Not until Christmas Eve were we able to see their full size – they are beautiful and cozy, and most definitely large enough for ourselves and a few wee ones!
My dear parents! What a blessing it has been to be raised by such wonderful, godly parents! I am thankful to the Lord for making them my mother and father!
Our Christmas Sugar Cookies that we make every year. We enjoyed these cookies, pretzels, cheese, and donuts (inspired by the dear Chancey family) while watching Scrooge (1935).
And as we do every Christmas morning . . . Momma and I made the Monkey Bread.
Over the river and through the woods (really and truly) to grandmother’s house we go!
I hope that you all have had a most wonderfully happy and blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
While living the life my Lord has blessed me with, I am at home with my family enjoying being a daughter, homemaker and artist. My highest goal is to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever. It is He that has saved me with His amazing grace and is continually molding me; to Him I owe everything. Read more . . .
