Archive for the ‘Family Life’ Category

Snowflake Cookies

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

snowflake-cookiesSeveral years ago after exiting the Christmas candlelight service, there was a long table full of hundreds of Christmas cookies. I saw some snowflake cookies that I knew would delight my children, so I took four, one for each of my children. A woman who was standing to the side looked at me with hatred and venom. She must have thought I was taking them for myself.

This just goes to show that nearly 100% of our judgment of others is false. God says we do not know other people’s motives, and for that reason, we should not judge, lest we be judged. (Matthew 7:1) If God says we don’t know their motives, then God is right. God is not a liar. The only exception to the rule of not judging is if you see someone clearly stealing or something that you know for sure is wrong, as far as an action that is condemned by God, then you should tell a fellow believer to stop, because they might be blind to their sin. We are never to judge the unsaved.

After delivering the cookies to my children, I went back to the table, and by that time, my favorite snowflake cookies were gone. I thought, oh well, I’m gaining weight anyway and don’t want to get fat. But I was sad not to have a snowflake cookie. My stomach growled. I looked at the woman who had judged me, but she was too busy micro-managing something else.

So this year when I was at a craft supply store, I picked up a snowflake cookie cutter. I made a sugar cookie recipe, frosted it with white frosting, and had the children decorate with light blue frosting (use blue egg dye) and sparkly white sprinkles. Our finished snowflake cookies didn’t look nearly as good as those magical cookies that Christmas night years ago.

10 Fun Facts About Myself

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

My new bloggy friends were asking me to list 10 fun facts about myself, to get to know me before we meet at a cafe in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to meet these godly women who love blogging as much as I do. Okay, here goes:

  1. I grew up as a missionary kid in Guatemala.
  2. I lived in England for 3 years as an adult (one year as an exchange student, two years as a teacher).
  3. God has healed me from a brutal rape, although it affected my marriage for years.
  4. I’m married to the most patient man on the face of the earth, and I am truly one with him.
  5. I have a passion to see godly marriages. My husband and I have done a couple of marriage webinars online, and we went through training to be biblical counselors.
  6. The reason I started my website is that our family was about to go bankrupt. I have a homeschool business based on hands-on learning, and I enjoy speaking at homeschool conferences.
  7. I have about 100 costumes at my house which I collected for $1-$5 at yard sales over the years. I started the collection before I was married. (I was the drama director at the school in London.) My pirate costume in my profile picture was $5 for the complete outfit.
  8. I sometimes get in trouble for speaking the truth.
  9. People think I’m funny, but I got my sense of humor from my husband. He makes me laugh, even in the middle of horrendous sorrow.
  10. I don’t want my life to be wasted. I want my children to follow the Lord. I want to bring glory to God with every breath I take.

Turkey and Rice Casserole

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

what-to-do-with-leftover-turkey

Do any of us know what to do with leftover turkey the day after Thanksgiving? This yummy turkey and rice casserole is hands-down the best recipe that uses up some of the extra turkey. This recipe was given to me by my best friend’s mom. The crunch of the celery, Corn Flakes, and almond slivers juxtaposes against the soft boiled egg, chicken, and rice. Miracle Whip and lemon juice add additional depth of flavor. This will be the best turkey and rice casserole you will ever taste.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped cooked turkey
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 3/4 cup Miracle Whip (mayonnaise would probably work)
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup rice cooked in 2 cups of chicken (or turkey) broth
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons of real butter
  • 1 cup of crushed Corn Flakes
  • 1/2 cup of almond slivers

Make sure the turkey, rice, and hard-boiled eggs are cooked. Then throw all the ingredients together in a large bowl, and stir it. Pour it into a large casserole dish. Melt the butter in the microwave, and mix with crushed Corn Flakes. Sprinkle over the casserole. Then sprinkle with almond slivers.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Encouraging Letters for Children

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

If you can brainstorm some good character qualities for each of your children, you can write an encouraging letters to each of them. Those words will build them up and cause them to want to continue displaying those positive character qualities.

Recently I found these letters, which were written in April 2008. The first two were written by me, the last two by my 7-year-old son Stephen, in response to my letter to him:

Dear Bryan,

I’m glad that you’re learning to focus more on your math. When you put your mind to it, you can do anything!

I’m also proud of you that you are reading your book and don’t daydream as much as before.

I like the Bible studies we do together. I love to talk about God with you. It is fun to answer your questions about God.

I love you, Bryan, and I’m glad that you’re my son!

Love,
Mom

 

Dear Stephen,

Your enthusiasm for life is so fun. Your smile brightens the room. You serve other people with purity of heart, and I love that about you!

Thank you for cleaning up so fast today. Thank you for getting Rachel’s bib so quickly when I asked you. You obey so fast now, and it’s a delight to have you in our family.

I like how you do your math quickly and are diligent. I like how you write your verse without complaining. I also like that I can quote my James verses to you because you know them by heart.

I like how you love God, and I’m glad you’re my son!

Love,
Mom

 

Dear Mom,

I love you, Mom, and thank you for the card you gave me. I thank you that you love me, too. Thank you, thank you!

Love,
Stephen

 

Dear Nathaniel,

Thank you for playing with me, Nathaniel. And I love it when you let me be police. I love you very very very very very much!

Love,
Stephen