No Photos...

...just words.

Sermon on the mount - surprised at how much I'm learning - thought I KNEW this one. ::snort::

School - lots of it.

Laundry hung - forgot to bring in tonight. Oops.

Found discussion questions for "Grace Based Parenting". Downloaded, thought some more about our upcoming Sunday School class.

House cleaning - a fair bit.

Recharge, reflect, restructure...the process has moved to family life.  We're contemplating some changes.....chore time AFTER school before the mad dash to roam the hood with the pack.  I will say, "NO," to guilt at needing help. They do  NOT have to help me because I'm too busy with "ministry". Learning life skills is MINISTRY...to me and to them in the future as they learn work ethics and livings skills to be productive adults. Somehow I've lost sight of this in the last two years. I so badly wanted to "prove" the kids would not suffer by "my schedule," that I took over all their chores and left them with much more free time than our kids usually have. LOL

Started reading a family read aloud tonight - Cat of Bubastes by GA Henty.

Spent two hours on women's ministry projects. Today was regional - focused on the upcoming conference.

Cooked dinner - such as it was.

Akiko san is sick and cancelled.....but that is o.k.

Spent the "saved" hour and a half surfing for fun lapbook resources for Zander and Stacia.

Several dear friends from the past have been on my mind and in my prayers a lot today....

Time to rest.....

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We're Finding Our Stride

I'm not sure WHY it seemed like a great idea to start a NEW year of school the same week we started a NEW month (monthly meetings), kicked off Monday night Bible study, and Tuesday a.m. Bible study. 


In a strange sense it was wise. If we can maintain a full week of school THIS week, we should be able to maintain the pace any week. We're on track. 


We're studying ancient Egypt and the kids  really like the change of pace from the 21st century.

Today was an admin day.

I renewed vehicle registrations.

I filled out 3 pages of paperwork for the girls. ::grin::

I ran to the chapel to sign some unexpected paperwork.

I ran by the BX for a few more school supplies.

I ran by the commissary - for real food. I caved and bought Halibut and began to think a move to AK wouldn't be terrible. LOL

We did another full day of school (to include a couple of booklets for our science lapbook).

I made hair appointments.

I made an orthodontist appointment.

I made a follow up appointment for Nolan and found out I have to wait until Friday to make a follow up for myself.

I Skyped about regional conference. I emailed about regional conference. I read and was BLESSED by workshop descriptions from workshop presenters.

I continued to hunt for biographies of Homer and Virgil.

We went to the beach for a couple of hours. The day was beautiful and I know the colder weather will soon be here. The beach always carries a touch of melancholy since the tsunami and all the damage...but we went.

Jared found a DARLING little glass float here the last time he was here....

Watching Jared search among the rocky places 

  

and the trash...reminds me that life is like this....often we find treasure as we navigate the rockiest most unpleasant of spots. 

Today I just fond an old traditional geta.

Though really, I found my treasure in renewing my commitment to choose joy, to be willing to be willing, to allow God to be God....and to trust that He will be manifested. Surrender. 

I made a chicken dinner at the request of Zander and Stacia. 

I inputted a big PWOC library order. Amazon keeps freezing when I try to check out. 

The timing between Japan and SC are just not right and I don't think I can stay up to wait to hear from Michael......hopefully we'll connect early tomorrow a.m. 

I'm going to go read a bit....

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Granola (Newest Favorite, still tweaking)

Preheat oven to 350*.


Combine and mix to incorporate (I usually heat it all up a bit)
1/3 C Olive Oil (Coconut is good too)
1/3 C Water
1/3 - 1/2 C Honey or Maple Syrup (not sweet - add more if you like sweet)
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 T Vanilla (originally called for 2 tsp vanilla and no almond)
1 tsp Almond
 1/2 tsp Salt (I leave this out as the cashews I can buy are salted)

In a large bowl mix
3 C Oats
1 1/2 C Flakes (Bran, Barley, Quinoa)
1 1/2 C Flour
1 C Nuts (Cashews are my choice)
1/2 C Almonds (or seeds like pumpkin, sunflower etc)
1/2 C Small Seeds (flax, sesame)
1/2 C Oat Bran, Wheat Bran, Flax Meal or Wheat Germ (opt)

Pour and mix wet ingredients into dry.  Spread onto a large jelly roll pan, make it even.  Bake 35-40 min - stir every 15 min, done when it's lightly toasted. 

1 - 1 1/4 C Dried Fruit (I use Craisens...Raisins, currants, apricots, blueberries....) mixed in when granola is cool.

Store in air tight container. Use within 2 weeks. 


Notes: 
For peanut butter granola, use 2/3 C peanut butter instead of the water and increase the salt to a heaping 1/4 tsp.

Adapted from, "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living Cookbook".


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

My Heavenly Hug

As is often the case when I have something "big" to do (travels, retreat, etc)....I woke up this a.m. and decided to clean my work space (not really a desk as it's the top of a baker's rack in the kitchen)....to the right of the baker's rack is a wire heart.....it often holds things like photos, cards, library notices, bills, letters .... I purchased it years ago and it serves a dual purpose. It has reminded me for years "It's the HEART stupid" or "Intimacy".....


As I've been planning a local Fall Rally and Coordinating a Regional Conference it was cluttered. I decided to pare it down - the rally cry of SIMPLIFY ringing in my ears....un-distracted obedience....keep it simple but meaningful....As I removed the clutter look what I found. 

You might not be able to see, but it's RED (a color I like), it has a crown at the top and the message is so perfect, profound and simple.  The theme I'm living life by these past few months is KINGDOM....and there it is on my heart. 

I love it when God speaks so clearly.  I removed the clutter from my heart and I found His voice....Keep Calm, Carry On....it summarizes His voice to me in the past weeks.....and so I'll leave it just like that as long as I can. 

BTW prayers for our local Fall Rally which kicks off this evening are appreciated. Regional Conference is in November. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

What Day IS this?

WOOHOO! 


I was surprised early this a.m. by a great conversation with a neighbor who has just decided to home school.

We did some school.

I learned many new tricks with PowerPoint....had fun and I think I saved myself time as I did this in place of a hard copy project I was supposed to work on. LOL

Drove Jared to Northside to mow a lawn.

Ministry as a family has always been our motto....Stacia loves to help and today she helped me unload and stack cardboard for the Ladies.....fall rally project.

She and I then headed to the commissary. Picked up Jared and came home. Michael beat us home tonight. Arielle made us Dutch Babies for dinner...yum. She and Jared told me to keep working...slave drivers. 

Life will settle down a LOT come Saturday night.  Tomorrow is MOPS...Friday and Saturday is our PWOC Fall Rally....and then the busy summer is officially over as a new ministry year begins.  I'm also going into the final stretch of my time as a PWOC Regional President. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Practically Perfect Day

Today was a practically perfect day. We got LOTS of school done. This is important as Thursday is MOPS and Friday is the PWOC Fall Rally.

I needed a good amount of cardboard for the rally - it's been found and secured. Thank you, Jenn.

A friend dropped by (and friends NEVER DROP BY out here).

Stacia and I made Peanut Butter Brownie Cups (recipe below). This was fun for us to do and gave me something to offer my friend.

The Gherkins finished school with about an hour to play with the kids in the hood - and it was touch and go for Stacia and Zander. They blessed me by wanting to FINISH school before they played. YES.

They didn't gag when they tried the Smart Dogs - though I don't think I'll buy them again.

Mike is home - so now the day is perfect.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Peanut Butter Brownie Cups (Heavenly Homemakers)

Again if you've not spent time at Heavenly Homemakers - you're missing out. Laura has great recipes and is fun to read too. I'm re-posting this here as it's become a new favorite today, and I've learned that sometimes links go dead where your favorite recipes are stored. 

1 C melted Butter

1 1/2 - 2 C Rapadura (depends on your preference)

1/2 C Cocoa Powder

2 Eggs

1 tsp Pure Vanilla 

1 1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour (used soft and hard combo)

1/2 C Natural Peanut Butter

 2 Tbsp Honey

Stir together butter, rapadura and cocoa. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir well. Mix in flour until batter is mixed. Scoop batter into 24 paper lined muffin tins (fill each about 1/3 full). I used the big Pampered Chef scoop - scantily. 

Note the ipad behind  my assistant LOL 

Stir peanut butter and honey together. Spoon 1 tsp of peanut butter mixture into the center of each brownie cup. 

Bake in 350* oven for 20 min. Makes 24 Peanut Butter Brownie Cups. 

Enjoy! We did. 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...