Be anxious for nothing...Sabbath Rest.

~In these very uncertain economic times, and the headlines predicting a Great Depression worse than the Great Depression....on this Sabbath, let us remember what God's word says...and cling to it as we rest in the surety and knowledge of His love and provision for us today...and everyday. Have a blessed Sabbath! ~Sue~

"In nothing be anxious" (Phil. 4:6).

No anxiety ought to be found in a believer. Great, many and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in Heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only-begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We should attend to the Word, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

"In everything," that is not merely when the house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what the world calls trifling things -- everything -- living in holy communion with our Heavenly Father, arid with our precious Lord Jesus all day long. And when we awake at night, by a kind of spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking to Him, bringing our various little matters before Him in the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.

"By prayer and supplication," taking the place of beggars, with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting, waiting on God.

"With thanksgiving." We should at all times lay a good foundation with thanksgiving. If everything else were wanting, this is always present, that He has saved us from hell. Then, that He has given us His Holy Word -- His Son, His choicest gift -- and the Holy Spirit. Therefore we have abundant reason for thanksgiving. O let us aim at this!

"And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." And this is so great a blessing, so real a blessing, so precious a blessing, that it must be known experimentally to be entered into, for it passeth understanding. O let us lay these things to heart, and the result will be, if we habitually walk in this spirit, we shall far more abundantly glorify God, than as yet we have done. --George Mueller, in Life of Trust

Twice or thrice a day, look to see if your heart is not disquieted about something; and if you find that it is, take care forthwith to restore it to calm. --Francis De Sales (from devotional 'Streams in the Desert'

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

*UPDATE: This giveaway will be closing 2/23/09: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!*
I love 'Love' don't you? Not just a friend or family member's love, but Christ's love he shows to us each day. John 14:23 says, "Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." How amazing to know that the Lord God accepts us and loves us so much, all the time! What an awesome God we love and serve!

On a slightly less deep level, I have another giveaway for y'all! These are home made jewelry sets for, of course, valentines day! We also have a guest giver, Lainey! She is one of our latest followers, a dear friend, and a jewelry maker extraordinaire! She generously donated a pair of earrings, while I made a necklace/earrings set. Sorry, but there are no clip on earrings in this one... sorry! Same as last time, just comment and you will automatically be entered. If you have a blog, you have a chance to earn an extra entry: make a post about the giveaway, then tell all your friends! We will enter your name twice if you do that. Here are the pictures of the jewelry!
These earrings are called Rosy Love, hence the red beads, it goes along with the necklace below

The giveaway also has designer earrings, made by none other than a sponsor, Lainey's Lovely Beads who makes lovely jewelry. These are called Cotton Candy Love.

Remember, when you comment if you're doing the extra entry, to state that in the comment so I can check it out! Feel free to use a picture, but please credit this blog. Thanks, and happy belated Valentines Day!

Hospitality and eternal value....

~This evening....I have been listening to A LOT of giggling, out-loud laughing...lots of gabbing....and more giggling! Ron and I have been enjoying it.

Meghan and Sara have had two very good friends over for dinner and a movie. The 4 girls opened up the pull-out couch downstairs, and are watching 'Pride and Prejudice'. They came up a little while ago for 'intermission'...which consisted of making their own 'decaff lattes' and then they decided to add icecream sundaes to go with them. Can you all say "sugar high"?!

I love, love, love having my children's friends over! I love having Ronnie's little friends here...and someday, Anna's as well. I love hearing them share their thoughts, I love hearing them laugh and enjoy themselves. I love offering them hospitality where (I hope) their friends know that they will always be welcomed...and their company enjoyed. ( I made the girls, whom I've know since they were both little, to promise that even when they are grown and my girls don't live here anymore, that they will still pop in and visit "Mrs. G"....or I wouldn't give them any icecream! LOL Just kidding!)

When we first moved into this house 3 1/2 years ago, Ron and I prayed that it would be a home of hospitality...that everyone would feel welcome here, that whoever might need it, would always have a meal, a bed if needed, and people who were genuinely glad to see them....and we have people here quite frequently. Years ago, when my daughters had a "keepers at home" group....I guess Meghan and Sara were probably 6 and 4 when we started it, we did a meeting on hospitality. One of the things that stuck out to me the most ( and I found out recently that it stuck in others memories as well) was that biblical hospitality is not only a command, but is supposed to focus on the other person...NOT on how clean your home is, or how tired you are, or if you only have soup and bread to offer (which we had tonight) instead of steak.....we should go out of our way to make them feel welcome and special.

For years, I was mortified if someone stopped over unexpectedly and the house was messy or I didn't have a full meal....or even if I just wasn't "in the mood" for company....I had a very close friendship that was very hurt by my attitude. My attitude worsened in direct proportion to my fibromylagia getting worse. Then, at the Keeper's meeting, I was teaching the lesson on hospitality and in my preparation, God clearly showed me that focusing on myself or the state of my home, was NOT God honoring OR showing biblical hospitality. As I taught the group of girls this lesson...it was a lesson that has stuck with me all these years.

Now...thru the fibro getting worse, having 2 more children, moving, and various other interesting scenarios....I've learned to value the people in my life....not the things. Would I like my home to be spotless? Sure! Is it likely to happen anytime in the near future...not likely....and that is alright. Focusing on people, not things, having a warm home ( sometimes messy) instead of a sterile showplace is what is important to me now. Relationships have eternal value....making memories with my family, welcoming family and my children's friends into our home has eternal value...and teaches my children by example. I know that my mom always welcomed our friends into our home and always had snacks or dinner for them...and I know that my friends loved my mom and the example that was set for me.

So come on over and visit, we would love to have you! And, most likely, as I did when my friend Linda stopped over today, I will move some books and stuffed animals and sit down to chat for a little while. You may have to step over the Lego creations, move past the dollhouse, and be careful not to squoosh Anna's favorite stuffed animals ( they are ALL her favorites!)...at the table, some homeschool papers and books may have to be moved...but we'll be so happy to have you here! I hope my children learn by example that PEOPLE have eternal value, not things...including houses. Home really IS where the heart is! God bless! ~Sue~

Simplifying, health and Nourishing Traditions...

Along with our simplifying as well as trying to save money like crazy...the first thing I thought of was meal planning, eating healthy and saving money. Ok...I'm working on that, and it seems to be working out well. The second thing I thought of was saving money on supplements. So...again, I poured over all of my books, prayed, and God has showed us (and is still showing us) a plan for health and thrift....as naturally as possible. I've been reading and putting some things into practice from Nourishing Traditions. It is a book by Sally Fallon, who follows the health studies from the Weston A Price Foundation. You can check out their extensive website here (hope the link works) Most of what is in the book is really good old-fashioned common sense, as well as centuries old practices of preparing food.

Here is some of what we are doing. You'll see jars sitting out on counters here, or in cupboards. The one on the left is 'beet kvass'...a wonderful blood and liver tonic, the one in the middle is my 'kombucha'...also a good liver tonic as well as loaded with enzymes and 'good' bacteria. The white one on the right is my kefir. I culture this daily, and make smoothies with frozen unsweetened strawberries that everyone likes...and it has so much more good bacteria even than yogart does...and is so much easier to make than homemade yogart!

This is not a complete tutorial...you can go to youtube and watch any tutorials on making these things that explain it very well. This is what my kefir 'grains' look like when strained. There are different schools of thought as to using metal utensils/spoons or not....from what I've read it doesn't make a difference.

Here is how I drain the kefir into my blender. Simple, isn't it?

This is a picture of the tea for the kombucha brewing while the 'mother' kombucha culture (some call mushroom) waits to be added.

And here is my glass of cold kombucha with ice ready to be enjoyed as well! It is really good...tastes like a cross between 'sweet' iced tea and ginger ale.

Along with doing these things, we're eating lots of broth. I've been making my own homemade broth for years....origionally because it tasted better. Then, because it was cheaper....now I know how rich in health benefits homemade bone broth is! I make chicken, turkey, beef, and vegetable broth...and even when I make the veggie broth, I throw in 1 or 2 beef bones to the broth.

What does this all have to do with supplements? Well...since we're boosting our nutrition thru food, and getting our good bacteria from yogart and kefir....I'm not buying probiotics anymore, and not giving a multi-vitamin everyday. We're also drinking our 'green lemonade' and carrot juice....the only supplements that I haven't figured out how to cut down or out completely is evening primrose oil for me, and cod liver oil.

So...as we're on this journey to simplify, save money, cut costs and do it in a healthy manner....cutting back on our meat consumption, eating more 'raw' foods....making everything we can from scratch and focusing on our meals and supplements has allowed us to save money...and be healthy. Does all of this take time and planning? Absolutely! Doing things in a simple way doesn't mean easy. Would it be easier for us to not cook everything from scratch? Sure! But it is so much cheaper and healthier for us to cook and eat whole grains, salads, fruits and veggies, and culture some of our food. I will say, that shopping at Aldi's once a week for our main shopping has saved us a ton! And, what I buy there is very healthy. Buying in bulk once a month from a natural foods co-op, Trader Joe's once a month, and costco once a month...then planning my meals accordingly also saves us quite a bit. We're still praying and planning on other ways to save money and cut costs as well. More in future posts as the Lord leads. I'm also reading everything I can as to the 'old-fashioned' ways of doing things....and now have 3 nice long clothes lines in my basement, more planned for outside when Spring arrives, and a garden this year. ( we haven't had a garden since we moved 3 years ago)....also learning to dehydrate, canning more and now...even making homemade ketchup! (did you know ketchup is loaded with high fructose corn syrup, and how bad it is for your health?!)

Anyway....off to get snacks for the kids, switch loads of laundry before Ty wakes up from his nap, then make our kefir smoothies. May the Lord bless you abundantly! ~Sue~

Unending Joy

Just a quick post here, because I need to go help with dinner. There is a new blog in town and I created it. Not for personal use, but as an updater of sorts. On it will be Lydia, myself and other girls who will be participating in the new documentary, Unending Joy. Here is the blog link:
http://unendingjoyfilm.blogspot.com/ so you can read all about it. It will be similar to the dvd Return of the Daughters only for younger girls ages 10-15. I will be posting the teaser trailer on the other blog soon, so watch for it and follow the blog so you can stay in-the- know about what's happening with the production!

Song Tag

I just got off of the phone with HP tech support. I talked to a tech person over in Mumbai, India for almost two hours trying to fix my webcam. But it is fixed, and I need to relax! So we have been tagged by Unworthy Maiden, and this one is my speciality, song lyrics! I am going to do ten song lyrics and you have to figure out what song they are from and by whom! Good luck! Comment on what you think they are!

1. And now I'll never ever be the same, It was the sweetest voice, That called my name


2. I won't convince you; with anything I say; But maybe you will see His love, in how it is portrayed. An act of kindness, A loving sacrifice-Simple little things that have the power to change your life!


3. There is love, there is forgiveness;there is love in times of need. When life is cold, there is a promise; you'll never go without, oh


4. With so much more than I deserve; to be here with the ones that love me- to love them so much it hurts...


5. The journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking- Be careful if you think you stand, you just might be sinking...


6. (My mom's favorite)When we left the movie show the future wasn't bright; But came the dawn the show goes on and I don't want to say good night! (Easy one here)


7. And I have been made new by the one who has found me. Words just can't say enough, when all I can feel is love...


8. Let me be your shelter; let daylight dry your tears; I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm anad calm you...
   
9. something familiar, something peculiar something for everyone... (M & M fill in the blank!)
10. I'm gonna roll that stone away, live my life my way, stand up for my faith just like the sun rises everyday, the tide is gonna change, you can't keep me...

Legacy Part 1 of 1

*I have had requests to post the next part of my short story, Legacy. Well, here it is! For all who have not seen the giveaway yet, the giveaway ends Sunday, February 22nd, 2009. You have 4 days left to enter.*

Part #1:
“I got it, I caught the fish! Cogí un pez!” The dark haired little boy waved a fish in the air, which received applause from his sister. Isabella was braiding wildflowers into her long dark hair, but she smiled when her brother called her. Isa was ten years old, only seven years after the exile. She, along with her brother and foster mother, were re-located to Segovia after their father died, leaving their half brother, Henry the IV, as heir. Isabella was still saddened about her father’s death, but she tried not to show it. She knew Alfonso’s health was delicate and her foster mother worked from sun up to sun down to provide for them. Isabella couldn't’t count how many times she would wake up in the night and hear weeping. Madre is working so hard for us. All because Henry had to be such a odio egoista tonto! He was always a hateful selfish fool, but I never thought it would come to this. Isabella threw aside her daisy chain and lay back in the soft grass. The Spanish moss trees drooped overhead, and Isabella smiled. “Isa, Isa, you must come quickly! Madre says to hurry!” Alfonso shouted from across the stream, and Isa quickly leaped to her feet. Grabbing her cloak off a nearby bush, she followed her brother across a wheat field and into the small village where they lived. Smiling at their elderly neighbor, she dashed into their house; stopping short when she saw a knight of Castile. She quietly sat down on a mat and listened to what the man, who she recognized as her father’s most trusted knight, had to say.

“King Henry has summoned the young children, Isabella and Alfonso, to court. His summons cannot be denied. I have brought a royal carriage for them to travel in, and boarding has been taken care of.” Isabella quickly looked at her mother, who looked shocked and a mite dazed. “Of course, orders are orders. When do we leave?” Isa’s foster mother asked, rising to curtsy. “That is one problem. You are not to come. That was a stipulation that was clearly stated by the king himself.” Isa and Alfonso’s faces paled and their mother drew herself tall. “They will not move one step without their Madre. Surely the king can understand that.” The knight shook his head, gathered the children, and set them inside the carriage. “NO! Madre, a dejar decirle que! Tell him to stop, please!” Alfonso wept and pleaded with the guards. They are taking us away yet again. Taking us away from another mother. Will these tyrants stop at nothing? Isabella sunk into her seat, sobbing as the carriage pulled away from the village. Madre, weeping and shaking her head, went inside to cry in private. The elderly neighbor followed her inside, where she found her lying on the floor: she had fainted in her grief.

Three days went by, the hours seeming longer and longer for the children. No room to play, barely any to sleep, and the food was stale and moldy. Isabella and Alfonso read prayers to each other as their only comfort. “Lord, you are holy and mighty. You shall deliver us out of this venomous pit of doom. “ Isa spoke, Alfonso resting his head on her shoulder. They stayed in this position until their arrival at Castile. They were led out of the carriage and into the castle, where two maid servants were awaiting them. “Lucille, Cecelia: these are the two charges. Take good care of them, and do not let them wander out of your peripheral line of vision. Understood?” When the maids nodded, the guard marched down the corridor.

Friday with Friends!

This is a slightly belated post, since it is now Tuesday, but better late than never! :) This past Friday the 13th we had some friends over for snacks and a movie. These friends were Caelyn, Morgan and Gabriella (all sisters) and earlier in the day Sarah and Rachel came over. It was so much fun! As customary that afternoon before dinner, Mum made us strawberry Kefir smoothies. They were yummy! Because this time we had Stevia to sweeten it with instead of honey. I MUCH prefer Stevia to honey in our smoothies. :) Sarah and Rachel both had some smoothie, too. Here's Sarah drinking some:

The poster child for Strawberry Kefir Smoothies! :)

Almost as soon as they walked through the door, poor Sarah and Rachel were cajoled (forced!) into tasting Mum's kombucha; as were Caelyn and Morgan. Mum is such a great sport with our friends, but forcing kombucha on them was a little overly much. Caelyn said she didn't mind it, and that she'd drink it. Morgan said that it tasted better than it smelled. Amen to that! :)

Our lovely beverage that our friends got hounded to try a sip. Out of us four kids, Anna seems to like it and I don't mind it.....the other two.....well, not so much. :)

Here is Mum and Rachel in our kitchen....Mum with a big glass of Kombucha in her hand. Rachel's face was priceless when she tasted it. :)

Here is sweet Rachel crocheting. By the end of the day she had finished a hot pad for her mom. We showed her a few new crochet stitches and had a blast! She was my crocheting buddy.

The two Sara(h)'s on my Sara's laptop. They were looking at different blog backgrounds, how to make them.....they hardly came off of the bed until it was dinner time. :) They were funny. And no, the Sarah on the left is not sleeping. :) She has what I called her 'thinking cap' on over her eyes. :) While our Sara is hamming it up. While watching a movie that evening they made some adorable jewelry together on the floor and did not spill any beads! :)

We loved getting to know Caelyn, Morgan and Gabriella better and found that we have a lot of the same passions and interests. Mum made her 'famous' popcorn and set out Salsa Verde and Tortilla chips. We had some homemade lattes-mine wasn't really a latte. I had more coffee than milk. :) But you know me. :) We watched the movie State Fair from 1945 and loved it! Caelyn and Morgan are into old movies, too, and had never seen this one. Unfortunetly they had to leave before it was finished because it was getting late. :(

Caelyn, Sarah and your's truly. :) Coincidentally, we're the three oldest girls in our families.

Morgan and Sara. Look at those adorable glasses. :)

Our rather blurry group shot of the night. :) In front of me you can see a popcorn container. :) Big surprise. Seated on the couch are from left to right: Rachel, Gabriella, Morgan and Sara

Seated on the floor are Caelyn and Sarah.

We had SO much fun with all of you girls! We have to do it again soon and watch another old movie. :) It was such a fun time, though we did get to bed rather late. Luckily the next day was a Saturday so we could sleep in. :) Sorry about the post being so late!