Celebrating Christ’s Coming

By on December 20, 2007 in building the family

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year! A celebratory time to reflect upon the arrival of Christ into our fallen human world. He came to establish His kingdom on this earth, and although He is not physically present, He continues His work of bringing about His kingdom and it will be completed at His return. It is interesting how humbly He came. Have you ever thought it funny that the kings came and brought gifts and the shepherds heard and welcomed the Messiah…but then we do not hear of these men any further. As far as we know, they did not go about and declare this good news! It is not until thirty years later that people finally start acknowledging the Savior. And even then He is put to death only three years later. Praise God that although He came and lived in such humility, He is now reigning in heaven as the Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world!

Here are a few resources and ideas that we have found helpful:

Advent Reading – This year we have been reading through Watch for the Light by a compilation of different authors (C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, etc.) on the advent and meaning of Christmas. It is very good and insightful. We have our advent wreath as our centerpiece at our table, but we don’t necessarily always read around it. We bring the book with us in the car to read while driving or in our bedroom before turning out the lights. I recommend it! It may be a little deep for little ones, but then it gives our hubby’s opportunity to truly teach and expand upon it. Aaron has had to do this for me many times already. This is a picture of our advent wreath. I bought the wreath and a simple garland that I stuffed in it after Christmas last year when everything went on sale. I like the red and white candle theme, although many people do purple, pink and white.

Jesus Gift – I mentioned this a little while ago. This is a special way to minister to a specific need in your church body this Christmas!

Thankfulness Box – a few year back our family designated a basket throughout the month of December in which we would write down special memories that had transpired throughout the year. Every time a memory came to one of us we would write it on a slip of paper, fold it up, and put it in the basket. As we took turns opening gifts on Christmas morning, we would each read one of the memories and reflect on all the blessings that God had poured out on us throughout the year. It was a time to reminisce and remember times together as a family. It was wonderful!

Neighbor Gifts – Last year, a few close friends and I got together and made cookies for each of our neighbors. It was a fun event to do together and so much easier that way! In the past, my family has also made simple table arrangements with fresh greenery and decorations. A very nice gift for the neighbors and friends. It didn’t happen this year, but I was thinking today that I would still really like to do something, but I was discouraged because I thought it was too late. Never! Even if they arrive after Christmas, it is the thought and love of Christ that we are sharing. I am setting aside some time on Saturday to make some simple lemon bread in little loaves for our neighbors. It doesn’t have to be extravagant…I just want to communicate the true meaning of the season! True joy comes from giving and not receiving. Giving the gift of life!

Local Holiday Events – I love going to different holiday events! This year we went to a live journey through Bethlehem put on by a local church. Tomorrow evening we are going to the Grotto Festival of Lights, which is actually a catholic event, but they have a really neat retelling of the Christmas story as you walk through their beautifully decorated and lighted grounds and hear different groups sing in their large chapel (beautiful acoustics). Powerful! We have invited a neighbor couple to go with us. What events take place in your town? Maybe you can invite your neighbors to participate?

Christmas Day – Gingerbread Pancakes at our home for breakfast (I used a similar recipe, although I replace whole wheat flour for the white flour and I don’t use the cocoa powder or nuts). We started this special Christmas breakfast last year and the hubby loves them! Make a special family breakfast and read the Christmas story together. We kept our gifts simple this year: stockings only. I loved it and think we will keep this as a tradition for the future.

Ornaments – each year we are aiming to find a ornament that represents a significant event that happened in our life throughout the year (birth of a child, vacation, etc). My husband’s family did this while growing up. Each child would get a new ornament that represented the year or something they did together as a family, etc. to add to their own personal ornament collection. When they got married, they could take their collection with them. So this year we added “Karis’ First Christmas” to our collection.

Check out my friend Kimi’s blog for some other resources for Holiday Ideas.

Merry Christmas to you all!

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Called to be Faithful Not Perfect

By on December 19, 2007 in faith & womanhood

Revelation 3:1-6
“‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.’”

Once again I share some of my musings and thoughts from the book of Revelation. While pondering this address to the sleeping church in Sardis, one thing stood out to me. This church had not completed the tasks God had appointed them to do. They were slacking off, assuming that Christ was coming, and they didn’t need to think any further as to the present.

God has appointed each of us with different deeds and works of righteousness that we are to complete before His return or He takes us home. The command is to wake up and remain attentive to the deeds God has predestined for us to complete! For me, He has called me to serve my husband, my baby, and our church at large. He has specific deeds of ministry for me to accomplish in my spear of influence.

Eph. 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

The key to remember is that He does not call us to perfectionism but to faithfulness (not laziness either, or we might miss out on receiving the blessing)! I am a perfectionist so this hits home for me! I struggle with having peace and rest when something is left undone on my list from the day. He does not command that you have a perfect house, or perfectly behaved children, or that everyone must think highly of you in order for you to complete your work. He calls us to reflect Him, to stay alert and attentive to His promptings, meet the needs of those in our spear…and remain confident that He will only take us home when our work is complete on this earth!

So keep up the good work wherever He has called you!

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Kitchen Tip: Draining Board

By on December 18, 2007 in recipes & kitchen tips

The draining board! AHH! It has been a source of frustration for me. It sure does accumulate with all sorts of hand washable kitchen items and never ceases to be pilled with stuff! Once I clear it off, another pile fills up. Keeping the draining board cleared greatly improves the appearance of your kitchen, I have realized. When dishes are pilled high in this one area of the kitchen, even if everything else is cleared, my entire kitchen looks a mess. I have never had a drying rack, but have always used a towel, as racks seem to accumulate mold, and do not look attractive at all.

I know that air drying your dishes is supposedly better for you, but when they sit there for a day, they are also accumulating dust and dirt!

This week I have set a goal for myself to keep this cleared off, if all possible. When I wash the dishes after the meal, I am going to just dry the dish immediately after washing and put it away. Do away with the draining board all together! I am often just plan lazy!

Check out Tammy’s Recipes for more kitchen tips!

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Input Request: Exercise Ideas

By on December 18, 2007 in health & nutrition

My sister-in-law and I were talking the other night about how we can get exercise as stay-at-home mommy’s, especially during the winter chilly months, and we need your input.

Growing up, my mom, sisters and I would get out our Stormie Omartian exercise videos and keep each other accountable by working out together. I appreciated Stormie’s videos because she was a believer and the music and dress were God-centered. Unfortunately, these videos do not seem to be produced any longer…at least I cannot locate them. Workout videos can definitely be on the cheesy side, but it is a great workout for indoors this time of year. Each session was only 30 minutes or so too.

During my pregnancy, I greatly benefited from Denise Austin’s Fit & Firm Pregnancy Workout. I would recommend it! A simple 20 minute workout and additional segments for more focused toning. She also has a post-pardon workout that is helpful. In the summer months after Karis was born I walked quite frequently with the help and accountability of my neighbor (who conveniently had also just had a baby and wanted to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight as well). Accountability is definitely a key!

Any good and simple ideas that you have found helpful for getting in regular exercise? Do you have a good exercise video recommendation? How did you fit it into your schedule?

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How Rich are You?

By on December 18, 2007 in faith & womanhood

Revelations 2:8-9
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)…’”

While reading through the book of Revelation, I was struck by this simple phrase that John records the angel saying in parenthesis: “But you are rich!” Profound. The Smyrna church is suffering tribulation and poverty and yet John brings to their attention the fact that they are rich. Rich in what? They are suffering and withstanding much persecution and John adds a simple reminder in the midst of it all for the church to reflect on how they are rich. Rich in the eyes of the world would mean possessing many worldly goods, but this rich means that we are rich because of our faith.

In whatever state we are in…whether we think we are in poverty by our lack of resources, or actually suffering the loss of all things, or simply anxious about the lack of things, or suffering under trials and struggles…the truth that stands forth is this command to reflect upon how truly indeed you are rich. We must counteract the negative thinking in regards to our circumstances with this reflection upon the truly positive events and blessings that have been poured out upon us.

How am I truly rich today?

  1. I have been given the grace of God! Forgiveness and everlasting love from the Maker of the Universe.
  2. I have been given everything I need to fulfill the will of God for my life at the present moment.
  3. I have shelter over my head and a wonderful husband that is providing so diligently for me and our baby.

To name a few.

It may not appear rich in the eyes of the world, but before God, the precious blood of Christ makes us perfectly clean and righteous before Him, eternity is being prepared for us, making us rich indeed!

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Calendars at the Dollar Store!

By on December 17, 2007 in frugal & simple

While out and about doing our errand shopping on Saturday, I stumbled across a great find at our local Dollar Tree. Of course I am in need of a new 2008 calendar for my kitchen and regular planning, and low and behold they sell calendars for $1! These were the large kitchen calendars you can hang anywhere.

Normally I have spent anywhere from $10-$15 on a decent calendar, and would have never thought to buy one there. Even the price on the back was listed as $10. Stop by your local dollar store today and save!

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Menu Planning Monday

By on December 17, 2007 in recipes & kitchen tips

Okay, so I decided to post my menu this week.on Monday to join in on the fun over at Organizing Junkie!

MONDAY: STIR FRY – Mondays are normally my stir fry night! I try to make a simple stir-fry once a week with lots of vegi’s over brown rice. Hubby is not too much a fan of stir fry but he can handle it once a week.

TUESDAY: LEFTOVER SOUP – as Tuesdays are my soup night, I have some frozen leftover soup in the freezer from last week. Soups freeze so nicely and since I always make a large batch, putting it in the freezer for another meal works great.

WEDNESDAY: CHICKEN ENCHILADAS – Tip: most enchiladas recipes call for condensed soup of some sort. Because most canned soups contain MSG, I always substitute the soup for sour cream. Works great! As we didn’t end of having it last week, I will be using some of the cooked chicken to make a pan of enchiladas (chicken from the whole chicken I cooked up this weekend). I use enchiladas sauce, chilis, olives, whole wheat tortillas and sour cream and layer in a pan. Easy! I will probably serve it with refried beans, corn, and green beans.

THURSDAY: CROCK POT RAGOUT – I love this simple dinner recipe from Sue Gregg. You simply saute 1 lb. ground turkey and then layer in in a dutch oven or crockpot with 1 onion, 6 carrots and 4 potatoes (all thinly sliced). You can also add green beans, corn, peas, as I usually do as well. Throw in a little seasonings (garlic powder, salt, pepper) and 1/2 – 1 cup water and let it cook for 30 minutes. I serve it with some ketchup on top! Excellent and oh so easy for a busy day. In the crockpot, you cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 2 1/2-3 hours. I will serve with a fresh salad.

FRIDAY: CHILI & CORNBREAD

SATURDAY: LEFTOVERS (as usual!)

My breakfast menu is normally the same each week:

MONDAY – Eggs or Omelet, or French Toast (using homemade bread)
TUESDAY - Oatmeal (see below)
WEDNESDAY – Kefir Smoothie
THURSDAY – Oatmeal
FRIDAY – Smoothie
SATURDAY – Pancakes or something special

OATMEAL (for the updated recipe, visit here)
For our regular twice a week breakfast of oatmeal, I soak 1 cup of rolled oats with 1 cup of water and 2 Tbls of kefir (or more!). I let it sit covered overnight. In the morning I put 1 cup of water to boil on the stove. When it is rolling, I add the soaked oats and let it simmer for 15 minutes or so. We then add ground flax seeds, dried cranberries, chopped apples and sometimes a little mashed bananas and there you have an excellent high fiber breakfast.

Got any healthy breakfast recipes to share?

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Health Booster: Apple Cider Vinegar

By on December 15, 2007 in health & nutrition


Would you ever consider apple cider vinegar as a natural health booster? Who doesn’t have a jar of this valuable ingredient in your cupboard?

While in the process of solving my hubby’s high cholesterol problem, I have stumbled across this valuable vinegar and learned of its amazing health benefits. Apple Cider Vinegar excels in potassium.

Here are some of the reasons:

~Balances pH (acid-alkaline balance in the blood)
~Helps control cholesterol levels
~Increases muscular and nerve strength and vitality
~Fights viruses and bacteria
~Improves brain function
~Promotes healthy hair and skin tone (more on this in my next post on Friday in the Natural Living on a Budget series!)
~Softener of the artery walls
~Increases efficiency of all body processes and elimination
~Pain reducer

When the pH balance of the body becomes too acid, the body becomes susceptible to wide variety of disease conditions and break-down. The typical American diet supplies an over-abudance of acid-producing foods. In addition to potassium, apple cider vinegar contains the full range of major and trace minerals, and malic acid, which assists in removing toxins from the body.

Rather than taking all those additional supplements at high costs, try this natural substance! You only need to take 2 teaspoons a day to enjoy its full health benefits. It is a powerful fermented vinegar, so definitely take it with juice! We just started doing this at the beginning of the day. It is supposed to give you more energy…and I can use all the help I can get!

Or try this recipe:

Potassium Tonic
Drink first thing in the morning before breakfast.

1 glass warm or cool water
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1-2 tsp honey, to taste

Also, try using ACV in your salad dressings! Try covering it up in a smoothie!

To receive all the benefits of this vinegar try buying it in a raw-unfiltered brand. It will appear clouded, as it contains the “mother”. This cloudy mixture of beneficial enzymes and bacteria is usually removed by heat or filtering. Why not get the full benefit? Most health food stores have at least one brand with the mother in it. Spectrum Naturals is one brand. I get mine at Trader Joe’s. Bragg’s brand, as pictured in the above photo, is another excellent brand, and is also a Christian company.

Enjoy, or at least try to, but your body will greatly enjoy the benefits if you don’t like the taste!

Most of the above information is supplied through Sue Gregg “Breakfasts” cookbook.

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Housecleaning on a Budget- Part 2

By on December 14, 2007 in natural & green

My desire through this Friday series (Natural Living on A Budget) is to provide you with ideas and resources to encourage you in more natural living but without paying the extravagant prices out there now a days for organic and natural products. As Christians, we are also responsible to be good stewards of the environment as well…this is not just something left for the world around us to be concerned about.

As far as housecleaning goes, there are many natural products available on the market today that are worthy of your support, but does it have to cost that much? No! Making your own products can serve the needs of your family and household far more naturally and cost effective. Check out Housecleaning on A Budget – part 1 for good recipes for making your own cleaners. Start simplifying your cupboards and your cleaning bucket today!

Here is an even simpler list of ingredients that are environmentally friendly alternatives that are inexpensive and readily available:

All-Purpose: 1/2 c. vinegar, 1/4 c. baking soda, 1/2 gal water
Window cleaner: vinegar, club soda, or the all-purpose cleaner
Disinfectant: 4 Tbls vinegar, 3 cups hot water
Scouring powder: baking soda
Natural Abrasive: salt & toothpaste, apply to scrubby or directly on surface
Dusting powder: vinegar, olive oil
Furniture polish: vinegar, food-grade lemon oil, or 1 c. olive oil and 1/2 c lemon juice
Fabric softener: vinegar
Silver polish: baking soda, salt, toothpaste
Mold/mildew: vinegar or lemon juice at full strength, with small amount of salt
Bleach replacement: spray one coat of vinegar, followed by one coat of hydrogen peroxide (these can not be mixed, so they have to be layered separately). Scrub and wash as desired. Works just as well as bleach without the chemicals.

You can add essential oils to all of these recipes for added scent, cleaning power, and to preserve them. For preservation purposes, try out citric acid, tea tree oil, rosemary oil/extract, and/or grapefruit seed extract.

Did you know you can even make a simple recipe for laundry soap and dishwasher soap?

Laundry Soap: See my homemade recipe here.

Dishwasher Soap: See my homemade recipe here.

Dishwashing Soap: Use baking soda and liquid soap, add 2-4 Tbls of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for though jobs. Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap diluted along with some vinegar and tea tree oil works as well.

Wow! Isn’t that easy. If you have vinegar, baking soda, and some essential oils you are pretty much set to go! You can buy 1 gallon of vinegar for around $4 (which is the price of one small container of all-purpose cleanser), which will extend very far for you.

Try using t-shirts or cloth diapers for all your cleaning needs! Eliminate the need for paper towels. I stopped using these a few months back and I have not missed them. I just have a pile of rags in the kitchen and in the closet at easy reach for any messes.

I just found this website recently which has a huge supply of more ideas for homemade cleaning products: Clean and Green.

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Buying into the Materialist Lifestyle

By on December 13, 2007 in building the family, frugal & simple

I have been struck recently by how easy it is to buy into the consumerist mentality that this world offers to make us happy. When I first became pregnant with my daughter, I was amazed at all the fancy gadgets that were available to satisfy every need that your child might have. Everything was so colorful, and fancy! Deluxe toys for your tiny baby…is that necessary? What is this encouraging? I thought to myself, why do we need all these fancy items for our children? Why do we feel like we have to entertain them? Do we not know that God has given them creative instincts to creative, think and develop their own entertainment without the need of computers, televisions, etc?

I have been surprised at how far I have slipped from this belief I held during my pregnancy. I bought or was given so many different little toys for my girl to play with. I thought since I was always buying the items used, we were being wise and frugal. What she really needs is relationship! She needs my love and attention. She is so happy to be doing what mommy’s doing in the ergo or just watching me from the laundry basket (thanks to Stephanie over at Keeper the Home for that idea!). The things I bought didn’t make her happy. She preferred just sitting up on her own with daddy’s water bottle, or my watch, or a little book. Wow! How eye opening!

I remember while growing up, my brothers would thrive in making up games of their own. They would build board games, etc. and be entertained for hours. They were so much fun! Building wise habits now in our entertainment decisions for my daughter will help greatly as she grows older.

My eyes have been opened to how easily these purchases have been increasing this worldly materialist idea in my head that we need an abundance of possessions in order to be happy or make our children happy. It’s a false hope! Only Christ Jesus can satisfy that deep desire for happiness. Not sucumming to this mindset also saves money and builds up the family life as we spend more time together!

Well, I am clearing things out today! That is my step for today in making my home a haven! I am returning to a simpler lifestyle!

And no, that picture does not come from my house, thank goodness!

What steps can you take to simplify your home? Here are a few ideas:

  1. We are only doing stockings for Christmas this year. So all the gifts will be small and practical. It has to fit in the stocking! This has really simplified my shopping and kept our focus on the true meaning of Christmas…we don’t need a lot of stuff that is going to take up room and come between us and the Savior whose birthday it really is!
  2. I have a friend with boys that only allows them to pick out 2-3 cars to play with for a certain period of time. The rest are stored away. When the end of the time comes they are excited to pick out 2-3 other cars to trade them in for. This keeps them with something new and fresh and yet not overloaded with too much toys at one time. Keeps the house more clean and organized as well. I was amazed at how content they were. I thought this was a great idea and can be used for any number of items in your home or your children’s toys!
  3. Clear out your stuff and donate to charity or another family. When we were first married another family gave us a collection of toys they were clearing out. It was definitely a random collection but it was very useful to have on hand for our hospitality.

God bless!

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