Tuesday Night –

Bible study was fun. I wish we had a bigger group but the discussion is precious. One of our ladies just moved here from Korea….AF flew her ahead as she is pregnant with twins. That’s sort of fun to watch unfold :::snort:::.

I baked 4 more loaves of bread. They looked great when I had to leave the house. Three of them flopped one of them is perfect…all taste great. I did the 7 grain again. I’m simply not sure what to do beyond this. I may have someone bake the same recipe at their house and see what happens…though I HAVE baked Adrienne’s bread recipe here and it flopped to so I’m not sure what that proved. I can’t even make my own dough enhancer to use because every dry milk that I find has BHT in it.

I made cookies this afternoon. Zander was my “big helper” but in actuality Arielle ended up baking the cookies. She’s getting quite good. This recipe originally called for sucanat and I’d used turbinado last week…..makes a lot of difference. They are much better with sucanat. I have some rapadura ordered and wonder what sort of adjusting I’ll have to do when using that.

One of my young ones had a dose of reality discipline today. I pair a young one with an older one for chores. They take turns with kitchen clean up. If not doing kitchen clean up then they do laundry and if there are no piles dried and ready to fold they do other chores I want done while the “kitchen crew” is at work. One child said, “I feel sick” right when it was time to begin. He may have had the flu? He may have not wanted to work? But I was not going to accuse him of lying and have THAT stick in his mind “Mom thinks I would lie”. SO….I excused him. I then called and cancelled two other appts he had for the day…both of which he likes. WE were also planning to go to the park for an hour and he missed out on that. I was not mean or huffy whatsoever…just explained that since he was to sick for work and school we couldn’t take the chance of exposing others around town. One of my older boys told me “Mom, I remember faking it once and missing out on all the fun – I’ve never done that again” and I didn’t know he HAD done that. LOL

I was totally frustrated with myself today. Zander is on a very strict diet which is helping with the list of letters after his name. This weekend we were given some yummy venison sausage….yum…and on our eating plan too. BUT the guys wanted me to BBQ them right away and didn’t want to wait for me to make hot dog buns….I bought some. Zander had one on Saturday…Sunday (and by afternoon we were noting changes)….Monday (I spent yesterday disciplining him and wondering if he’d eaten anything but couldn’t think of a single thing off his plan…TODAY at lunch Jamin pointed out his ketchup sandwich…gross but o.k. THEN he pointed out the bread that Zander was using….Josiah read the label….artificial flavor AND BHT….We’re still in awe of how much eating that stuff affects him…..and so maybe we can get this back under control and I will be much more careful to keep bread and buns in the freezer. BTW he was not eating sausage dogs all week…he was using the white bread for sandwhiches. The younger three still love white bread. I gave them a bottle of glue and told them to squirt that on the whole grain bread for the same effect but they didn’t go for it.

Mike’s read Narnia to us about 5 times. First just to me then to the girls (now living in WA), then with the older 4…then with Jared alone, and now he’s reading through it again with Josiah – Zander. This time we are reading it in Chronological order….we love that series and it gets better with each reading.

Mike just solved the “case of the missing sippee cups”. He found FIVE of them…..I’d better go help him scour them….

What's with all the Preaching, De?

:::snort::: Wellllll....it is *my* blog. Feel free not to read them and read whatever it is you like to read. {G}

I'm teaching a 5 week course on prayer at PWOC. You are basically seeing teaching notes. No, I guess not as you don't see the discussion questions. You are helping me meditate or marinate as one of my kids say.

I read, I think, I marinate.....don't you think that "marinating in the Word" is a great definition for "meditaing on the Word"?

Some of my quick blurbs may well become PWOC newsletter articles. OH....I've been "web published". Here It's certainly not the book I dreamed of writing....but as some of you are discovering a writer writes...good or bad and you can't seem to shut her up! :::snort::::

"8" Minutes in the Morning...

I shared some months ago that I received this book from PBS. It gurantees 2 lbs weight loss a week. {yeah - SURE}. Anyway, Jamin got a hold of the book and really enjoyed some of the info. I had not read it. I decided to pull it out this weekend as I'm whittling down my bedside stack.

I'm not sure I can buy his food regime. I'm pretty committed to sanity and avoiding strict outside measures. We'll see. I was encouraged to find out on his chart that for my age {over 35 smirk} and height 5'4" the ideal weight range is 122 - 157....I'm within range.....so I'm not as obese as I previously thought...but I still want to get down to the lower range as I don't ever want to experience the eclampsia I had with Stacia again. I also wondered about weights with my arthritic wrists as they have been feeling so good. I do know from past experience and research that this weight loss thing works best with a combination of aerobic and weights. I also know that muscle increases a metabolism....and I need that.

This a.m. I thought I'd do this "8" minute thing. First I didn't have weights so I did the two moves without weights. Not a problem. Then I remembered that the weight bench in the garage would have weights. This has formerly been the den of young men and Mike (who is also a young man, you know?). All that to say that they had no cute purple 3 lb weights...look as I may. I did find some 5 lb weights. I did my two moves. No problem. Then I went back and checked the book...I'd done them wrong.....I did them again....8 minutes turned into 20.....We'll see. I am seriously trying to get in shape with what we have at home. I can't make the time for the gym right now but I can do something....I'm curious to see how my wrists will respond to this - I think I may need to go buy some purple and green weights to add to the manly collection in the garage.

“Jumping Jehoshaphat”
Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20)

Circumstances: 3 armies rise against him; he’s terrified but “he turned his attention to seek the Lord, called all of Judah to fast and pray, God promises to deliver them; singers and dancers move out; God totally destroys the enemy; took Israel three days to collect the spoils…sad that Jehoshaphat didn’t destroy the high places, he went on to make unholy alliances with other neighbors and God ultimately destroyed his work.

Prayer: “The God of our fathers…God in the heavens” – recognizes who God is, worships God for who he is….

Recalls what he knows about God “you said this”, “you’ve acted like this in the past” – he then bases his requests on God’s character, commands and past dealings with the nation.

Compared with “Lord’s Prayer”:
Begins with Worship; acknowledgement of who God is (His Character) and His sovereignty: “God of our fathers”, “thou art in heaven (sovereign)”. “power and might are in your hand”, “who can stand against you”. Speaks of God’s past dealings with Israel.

Moves on to Petition “Judge them”, “We’re powerless nor do we know what to do”

Prays for deliverance.

Ends with more worship: “Our eyes are on Thee”.

Compared with Phil 4: 6:
“Be anxious for nothing” – Jehoshaphat WAS anxious, he was terrified but he turned his attention to seek the Lord.

“by prayers (general) and supplication (specific, intense, pleas) with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God” – He specifically listed the things that were needed, they worshiped God for his past dealings and for who they knew He was/is.

The Lord routed the enemy when they obeyed (they began to move out as they were instructed) in the context of worship.

Application: Facing an enemy? Turn your eyes to God. Pray with confidence based on who God IS and how he ACTS…..don’t know God? You can do something about it! He’s waiting in His Word to reveal all that He is to us.

Monday Recap

Well, dear Kelly posts “goals for the day” on her blog…but I’ve learned it’s best to wait and post what I accomplished…because it rarely matches what I set out to do. {bg}

We got school done today! This is big! We are on week 31/32 in our Tapestry of Grace. We are almost done with our second year of this curriculum and we are on TRACK. That in itself speaks highly for the curriculum. :::snort::: The younger 2 and I are going to double up this week and probably the following two weeks and finish even earlier. The older three are also picking up the pace where they can. The younger two and I will spend the summer working on phonics, writing and spelling (because we like to keep making forward progress). The older two will work, work out etc. Jamin and Jared are both writing books so they will have more time to work on that. I may join a Bible Study or two for the summer. {G}

I made bread. It was rising beautifully. It looked wonderful. I took a phone call – which was very important to take. When I came back it was flat. BUT I made Brenda’s 7 grain bread and it TASTES very yummy. I plan to watch very carefully next time and not to answer the phone. :::snort:::

I dried another 6 trays of apples for Mike to take to work.

Adrienne had borrowed year 1 of our TOG to take an up close look at it. She reacted like I did when Dody finally got a copy into my hand “Ah….this is doing what I’ve been doing and it would save me hours of time”. She came over and asked all her questions and had me talk her through exactly how I plan a week etc. That was fun.

I made tortillas and we had burritos (with home made refried beans) and rice and salad for dinner. Kelly, I used your recipe this time. I substituted olive oil for shortening and it worked well. I finally threw the tortilla press out and rolled my own. I could get them much thinner that way…and the interesting shapes were fun.

We signed up with Netflix last week because we want OLD movies and can’t find them locally. I watched Martin and Lewis on the Colgate hour with the younger 3 children (I wasn’t up to reading a chapter of Narnia – Zander has had a DAY). The commercials were as funny as the skits.

I worked on Bible study and have my notes and hand outs ready to go.


Mike still isn’t home so I decided to update the blog, and add some pictures from our dinner hour. She went directly from dinner to bath time.

Stacia was squealing and I was SHOVELING Brown Cow Vanilla Yogurt in her mouth. She reached over and grabbed a spare spoon for the person next to her and began to make havoc with what I thought was the empty container. Then she threw down the spoon and went for the container. She loves her yogurt!

Mike just got home - you guys are great and all - but I think I'll leave you now. {smirk}

Elijah

Preparing for Bible Study on Tuesday night and I’ve been thinking about Elijah.

James 5:16-18 tells us that Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours”. This is a great encouragement. Look what the prayers of a righteous (right standing; just without prejudice or partiality) man can accomplish. He prayed earnestly that the rain would stop and it stopped for THREE years and six months. He prayed again and it rained.

We can learn a lot about Elijah from I Kings 17 – 19. He ate and drank. He was at times terrified. He held great pity parties. He had tunnel vision. He indeed did have a nature like ours.

But James tells us that he prayed “earnestly” – fervently and persistently. In I Kings 17 we see him telling King Ahab that there will not be any rain or dew unless he gives the word (I Kings 17:1). Where does such faith and boldness come from???? I would like to suggest that Elijah knew the Books of Moses – he knew the Word.

In Joshua 6:26, Joshua declared a curse on anyone who rebuilt Jericho. The curse was fulfilled when King Ahab rebuilt Jericho. I Kings 16:29-34 gives us a glimpse into life during King Ahab’s reign. He was more evil than all who came before him. He built temples for and worshipped Baal. God had covenanted with Israel that he would bless them with rain (and much else) if they would obey His commands. If they disobeyed his commandments there would be no rain and no dew. Ahab had broken the commands and covenant of God. Elijah believed that God’s Word was true. He knew that if Israel repented the rain and dew would be sent again.

Elijah had a bold faith because he KNEW his God; he knew what his God had SAID and he BELIEVED what his God had said. Elijah simply took God at His word and prayed in line with God’s character and revealed will. And God responded.

The key point I’ve been considering is not that Elijah had great faith but that Elijah was a man who KNEW the Word. He knew His God. Are we to lazy today to take the time to know our God?

If we would have effective prayers as Elijah, we must KNOW the God of the WORD – not the God of pop culture, the God of Sunday morning, the God of church tradition…but the God of the Word. In the Word we see how God acts, we observe His character, we read the consequences of our actions, we find what He expects if we would be in relationship with Him. We simply can’t expect to see great things in prayer if we haphazardly claim the promises without understanding the conditions. To be effective prayer warriors we need to know the Word, and therefore know our God, so that we are praying in accordance with His will….and then the enemy will quake, the heavens will rejoice and we will see “effective prayer” in the church once again.

"The strength of our prayers begin in knowing our father who is in heaven” p 32 Lord Teach us to Pray.

Monday Morning's Random Musings

7.2 miles today....my goal is 50 a week so I'll try to get a short 3 mile ride in this evening. I spent some time this a.m. preparing for Tuesday night's study so I don't feel to bad about the shorter ride. I guess Monday and Tuesday will be like that and I'll make it up at the end of the week.

I forced myself to do roller coaster hill again and even let loose with the scream today.....even stood UP once but then reminded myself of Jamin's demise and sat firmly down. {G} I made it all the way up the "hill" that I had to walk up last Friday. It wasn't pretty but I did it. And though I only made 7 miles today I noted that my mph was up to 10.2 from 8.2 so that's advancement too. I found another reason to be thankful for living in TX today. In Eagle River I we had huge hills to ride up and down - very few flat spots to ride a bike in. I would never be able to do 7 miles a day in Eagle River.....I had to bus my bike to flat trails to ride. {G}

Still pedaling and praying. Spent time this a.m. praying through all the changes in the Air Force that I see and that others are starting to call and email about. Interesting days ahead....but I believe God has called men and women to the Air Force in general, and the chaplaincy in particular, "for such a time as this." If ever there was a time for godly men and women with a heart for ministry to be in the chaplaincy - this is it.

I also thought about a paradox. As wives we so often begin to rag on our husbands about "preceived" imperfections in their perspective or actions. "You aren't home enough", "Your priorities are skewed", "the children need more time with you", "You never take me out", "you need to spend time mentoring our children like Mergatroid does his", "You worry to much", "You don't worry enough"....blah blah blah. Months ago when I was in a funk and praying for Mike in one area, God told me quite clearly to "SHUT UP so that Mike can hear MY voice on this issue." It became quite obvious that my constant comments were capable of drowing out God's still small voice in my husband's life. As I was pedalling and praying to be a better helper to Mike this a.m. those thoughts returned. I've done better; but it is so easy to begin to think, "Ok God, I've shut up for several weeks now, maybe just a small reminder from ME is in order." :::snort::: Men (like women) like to spend their times where they feel successful. If we are constantly reminding them of all the ways they could improve in their role as husband and father they are likely not to feel successful at home. It is only natural they would begin to avoid that role. If not careful we can find ourselves in the position of the unwise woman of Proverbs who is tearing down her home with her OWN hands. May it never be. May we partner with God to support and uphold our husbands. May we be wise women who build our homes on God's foundations.

I have no doubt that given another 3 miles I would have gotten very profound but my riding time was up and thus that's as far as my thoughts and prayers went.