By Faith . . . Noah Built An Ark (Faith Filled Fridays)

Hebrews 11:7  “By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”

What would you do if you really felt that God had called you to build an ark?  Would you do it?

Is there anything in your life that you believe God has called you to do, that you haven’t done because “it seems too crazy”?  That must be how Noah felt, but he stepped out in faith and built the ark.

We had our 10 children, and lived on Jim’s teacher’s salary.  Everyone said, “You can’t afford so many children on a teaching salary.”  I said, “God called Jim to teaching; God called us to have a large family; so we believe that God will work out the difference.”

Hebrews 11:7 (continues)  “By his faith (Noah) condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Noah stepped out and did the craziest thing . . . without any support.

Have you ever stepped out in faith with seemingly little support, but you KNEW that this was what the Lord was calling you to?

Five years ago, we stepped out in faith and adopted 3 children from Ghana.  By the responses of our friends and family, you would have thought we had decided to build an ark.   With 10 biological children, we had always been called “crazy”, but adopting 3 children from Africa seemed to put us in the “certifiably insane” category.

Everyone asked, “How are you going to pay for the adoptions?”

We responded, “We have no idea how the Lord plans to pay for it.  We certainly don’t have an extra $25,000 in our pockets; and we aren’t going to go into debt.  God told us that we are to adopt these children, so He is going to have to show us how He is going to pay for it.”

One month after seeing the picture of these 3 precious children, and the Lord telling Jim, “These are your children.”  we received an anonymous gift of $15,000 to help pay for the adoption.

Is there anything in your life that you believe God has called you to do, that you haven’t done because “it seems too crazy”?  

I do have a warning, though . . .

sometimes  . . .

just like Noah . . .

the adventure that God has called you to can be very lonely.

The past 5 years have been the absolutely loneliest years of our lives.  

We have lost friends . . . church family . . . jobs . . .  

Are you willing to be lonely for Christ?  Is it worth it?

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart (Faith Filled Fridays)

Proverbs 3:5-7  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes.”

Do you trust the Lord in your daily life . . . or do you rely on your own understanding?

Do you acknowledge him in every situation?  The good and the bad.

Do you acknowledge him in your daily conversations?  Do others know whom you put your trust in?

When Jim and I got married, we knew we wanted to have a large family.  We both wanted to have 6 kids, and believed this was the Lord’s calling on our life.  (Jim got his 6 boys and I got my 6 girls.) 

At age 21, I was having a lot of medical problems when my doctor told me that I had severe endometriosis and needed a complete hysterectomy.  I went to a 2^nd doctor; he confirmed the diagnosis, but told me that he would not do the surgery right away in order to give us time to pray about it.  He told me that I had a 2% chance to ever get pregnant.

How do you think I responded? 

How would you have responded? 

Did I walk out of the doctor’s office totally depressed and in despair?

No.  I walked out of the doctor’s office and told Jim, 
“God doesn’t care about percentages.”  

We went to our small group that night and I told all of our friends, “God doesn’t care about percentages.”  Everywhere I went, I shared the diagnosis, but said, “God doesn’t care about percentages.” 

I absolutely believed the power of God to heal me. 

I absolutely trusted God to fulfill the dreams of a large family that He had given me.

I absolutely had faith that the Lord had called us to have a large family,

and I was going to stand on His promises to me.

Hebrews 11:11-12  “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age, and Sarah herself was barren, was enabled to become a father because he considered him (God) faithful who had made the promise.  And so from the one man (Abraham), and he as good as dead (old), came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”

Two weeks after that 2^nd doctor’s diagnosis . . . I was pregnant with my first child.

I went on to have my first 6 babies in 6 years.

Now, as the mother of 12 children, I cannot imagine how many Godly descendants will come . . . because I had the faith to stand on the Lord’s promise to me . . . as did Abraham.

Do you trust the Lord in your daily life . . . or do you rely on your own understanding?

Do you acknowledge him in every situation?  The good and the bad.

Do you acknowledge him in your daily conversations?  Do others know whom you put your trust in?

Remember from Last Week:     Faith . . . is being “certain of what we do not see.”

The Perfect Pie Crust

One of you recently asked for my Pie Crust Recipe,

so I thought it was time to re-post this from my Family Blog in 2009.

Are you intimidated by the thought of making homemade pie crusts?
Have you tried . . . yet failed?

I know some people make "homemade pies" . . . with store bought crusts.
If this is you . . . I challenge you to give pie crusts one more try.

I have made pie crusts since I was a little girl (with my Grandma),
and I still use her Perfect Pie Crust Recipe.

I get rave reviews on my crusts whenever we serve pie to company
(which is quite often, in fact).

We had some new friends over for dessert on Saturday, and unbeknownst 

to me, the wife is a self-proclaimed "Pie Snob", and she went on and on 

about how wonderful my crust is.  I wish I could thank my Grandma 

for the Perfect Pie Crust Recipe, but she has been gone for 20 years.

The trickiest thing about teaching how to make pie crust, 

is that it takes more than just a good recipe.

I have never known quite how to explain to someone how to make a crust,

other than to physically show them how in my kitchen.

I stumbled across The Pioneer Woman Cooks website,

and not only does she use my Grandma's Pie Crust Recipe

(and probably everyone else's grandma's, too).

But, she gives step-by-step directions, WITH PICTURES.

I do two things differently than The Pioneer Woman:

#1  I mix the Egg, Water, & Vinegar before adding to Flour.

#2  I do not put the dough into the freezer,

I just roll it right out.

So, if you have been intimidated by the thought of making a homemade pie,

with a REAL pie crust . . . here is your chance to give it one more try.

Wouldn't you like to have this . . . for dinner tonight?

I often bake pies in my 11 x 15 glass casserole dish.

Not only will it feed 18-21 people . . .

but we love the Square Deep Dish Pie Pieces.

Do you make Homemade Pie Crusts?

Is there anything special about your recipe?

Faith Is . . . (Faith Filled Fridays)

Hebrews 11:1  

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Do you walk out your life in faith?

Do you live life . . . sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see?

Faith is NOT . . . I believe I will pay my bills this month, because I know my paycheck can cover it.

Faith IS . . . I believe that God will continue to guide us and direct us and provide jobs for us each month to pay our bills.

Faith is NOT . . . I believe that God will heal my cold, because I know this medicine works.

Faith IS . . . I believe that God can heal Elijah, even though the doctors don’t know if he will live through the night.


Faith is NOT . . . I believe that God will completely heal Rachel today (demanding my timeline).

Faith IS . . . I believe that God desires healing for Rachel, and I will trust Him as we walk each step of this most difficult journey.

Faith IS . . . being certain of what we do not see . . .

I have lived a life of faith for over 35 years, 

seriously trusting God through unimaginable circumstances.

Teen Depression

Endometriosis

Cancer

Serious Car Accident

Elijah's Coma

Loss of 2 Children in Pregnancy.

Adoption Crisis Situations

My faith is not based on a “give my life to Jesus and live happily ever after” mentality.

No.  

My faith is based on the fact that I know that Jesus is with me 
each and every day, through the good times and the bad.

Yes.

This week has been HARD; but I have not lost my faith.

Our visit with Rachel at the Residential Care Facility was DIFFICULT; but that does not mean that I have lost hope.

I have been DISCOURAGED on my weight loss journey; but I have not given up.


What has FAITH looked like for me this week?


"Faith is being sure of what we hope for . . ."

I am SURE that the LORD desires healing for Rachel.
I do not know what that healing will look like.
I do not know what the Lord's timing will be.
But, I am sure that He desires to bring healing to Rachel's broken heart.


"Faith is being certain of what we do not see . . ."

I am certain that the Lord desires Restoration for our family.
I am certain that the Lord desires for me to stay on my Takin' Care of Mama journey.
I am certain that the Lord Loves Me (even when I feel unloved and rejected).

What does faith look like in your life?

Do you live life . . . 

sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see?


How can I pray for you as you walk your own journey of faith?

Faith Filled Fridays: Childlike Faith

I have decided to try (no promises, though) to write a weekly post about Faith.  I hope this will encourage you as you walk out your own Journey of Faith.

Last month, I was asked to speak at our church's Ladies' Spring Tea.  I am going to start my new series by sharing portions of the message that the Lord gave me to share at the tea.

The theme for the Ladies' Spring Tea was Childlike Faith.  As I was preparing my message for the Tea, I pictured a little girl with her head bowed, seeking God for big things, and with simple faith, expecting God to answer.

I was immediately reminded of this story . . .

When I had 5 kids under 5 years old, I had 4 impacted and infected wisdom teeth and needed oral surgery.  Jim and the kids drove me to the surgeon’s office to drop me off for surgery, promising to return later to pick me up.  As I was getting out of the van, Jim said, “Kids, we should pray for Mommy.”  My 3 or 4 year old daughter, Cassie, boldly prayed, “Please God, help Mommy’s mouth not to hurt.”

I thought, “Oh. How sweet.”  But, I also thought, “Oh dear.  She is going to be disappointed tonight.”

No.  I did not have a childlike faith to match Cassie's.

I was sent home from surgery with some heavy-duty pain meds, and told that I probably wouldn’t eat any solid food for a couple of days.

The doctor phoned Jim that evening to ask him how I was doing, and Jim handed me the phone.  

“How am I?  Fine.  I’m eating chicken and rice for dinner."  

"Pain?  No.  No pain." 

" Swelling?  No.  No swelling."  

"Prescription Meds?  No.  I didn’t take any.”

No.  

I never had any pain or swelling for the surgery for 4 impacted and infected wisdom teeth.  

None.

Do you have that kind of childlike faith?

I believe that God wants us each to pray that way . . . to live that way.

Teamwork in the Kitchen Means More Time for Friends

Last Sunday was going to be a Quiet and Relaxed day . . .

but turned into a CRAZY FUN day instead.

For some families,

it could have turned quite STRESSFUL rather quickly,

but since we have always worked as a TEAM,

we pulled off a whole lot of FUN instead.

Our church just transitioned to 2 services.

So, the Saturday Night Debate is,

"Early Service or Late Service?"

Jim is TOTALLY the "Early Service" guy;

while the rest of us are the "Let's Sleep In" family.

This past Saturday night, however, Ben was over and said,

"Why don't you all go to Early Service with me?"

"Seriously?" I asked,

as not only does Ben know that Mama is NOT an early bird,

but this is a "boy" that used to love to sleep, too.

I semi-relented and said,

"Okay.  We will go to Early Service if you will sit by us."

(No.  I am not above bribing my children.)

"Really?" Ben responded,

being the typical 19 year old that enjoys sitting by his friends.

"Yep."

(thinking, why on earth would I get up at 7:00 to

"go to church with Ben" if he doesn't sit by us anyway?)

Ben agreed that he would sit with the family.

(as I wondered if his friends even go to early service)

The Young Ones didn't get to bed until 10:00.

We got everyone up at 7:00.

I knew we had a "quiet afternoon" planned, though,

so was sure we could all get in some naps after church.

(or not)

After the First Service, a friend came up and asked,

"What are you all doing after church?  

Can you come over for lunch?"

Shoot!

We already had dinner plans with another couple.

I told this friend that we'd love to . . . 

but would have to try for another week.

As I went to tell Jim, though,

I realized that we would be done with Sunday School by 11:00,

and since both families came to First Service,

maybe we could actually go to Friend #1's house for Lunch,

and still get home in time to put together Dinner for Friend #2.

Hmmmmm . . .

Could we pull it off?

We had NOTHING planned for Dinner,

and our friends were coming over to our place at 4:30.

Knowing that our family is GREAT at

Teamwork in the Kitchen,

we said "Yes" to Friend #1.

When we got to their house for lunch, Friend #1 asked,
"What are you making for dinner with Friend #2?"

"Oh.  I think I'll throw together Lasagna, Fettucini, and Apple Pie."

"Really?"

"Won't that take too long?"

"No.  We can throw it together."

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch with Friend #1 and Family.

The men put the burgers on the grill,

while us ladies put together a Pasta Salad and Fruit Salad.

The boys played on the Trampoline,

while the girls hung out in the kitchen with the ladies.

We had a relaxing lunch.

We had quite a while to chat.

We helped clean up after lunch.

And . . . we were still headed home by 1:30.

The Count Down Began . . .

1:45  Walk into Our House

1:50  Check Ingredients for Dinner

1:55 Make Shopping List and Send Jim to the Store

2:00 Put on my Apron and called the TEAM together

Hosanna starts cutting and cooking 

the chicken for the Fettucini.

Sarah cleans the bathroom.

Josiah vacuums the living room.

Elijah does the breakfast dishes.

Mama boils the Fettucini Noodles

Mama put together the Lasagna.

3:00  Beef Lasagna Ready for the Oven

(we cover it with Mozzarella Cheese after it's mostly baked)

3:00  Mama begins Making the 3 Cheese Sauce for the Chicken Fettucini.

Hosanna makes the Bread Crumb Topping for the Fettucini.

3:00 Papa walks in the door with the Cream for the sauce,

French Bread, and Granny Smith and Fuji Apples for the pie.

Hosanna makes the Sugar Mix for the pie.

3:30  Three Cheese Chicken Fettucini ready for the oven

3:30  Papa starts peeling and slicing 14 apples

Mama makes two batches of Pie Crust

(for the 11 x 15 Deep Dish Pie)

Hosanna has already finished the Sugar Mix,

since she has a practice to go to.

Josiah washes the dishes that we used to make the Lasagna and Fettucini.

Sarah and Elijah set the table.

4:00  11 x 15 Deep Dish Apple Blueberry Pie ready for the oven

 Yes.

In just 2 hours, we have all 3 dishes ready for the oven!

No one is stressed.

Everyone is doing their part.

4:00  and Company is coming btwn. 4:30-5:00.

Mama pops the Lasagna into the oven.

Oops.

Mama forgot to put "Ice Cream" on the shopping list.

Papa cannot eat Apple Blueberry Pie without French Vanilla Ice Cream.

(smile)

Papa and Elijah make a quick trip back to the grocery store.

Sarah washes the dishes from the Pie Making business.

Mama starts cutting veggies for a big Green Salad.

4:30  Mama pops the Fettucini into the oven.

Papa makes Garlic Butter to put on the French Bread.

Mama gets out all of the Italian Soda supplies.

Elijah gets out the Antique Ice Crusher so that he can 

crank out some crushed ice for the Italian Sodas.

5:00  Friends arrive.

Mama pulls the Lasagna and Fettucini out of the oven,

and pops the Apple Blueberry Pie into the oven.

5:10  Hosanna and Friend arrive from practice.

Mama serves them up Fettucini and French Bread in "To-Go" containers.

2nd Teen friend arrives to give Hosanna and friend ride to Youth Group.

2nd Teen friend wants some Fettucini and French Bread "To-Go" too.

5:15  Time to make Italian Sodas

Time to Pray.

Time to Eat.

After dinner, the boys head outside to play,

Sarah heads downstairs to read,

while Papa and I sit at the dining room table

and visit with our New Friends for the next 3 1/2 hours.

We would have moved to the living room at the half way point,

but then it was time for Apple Pie and Ice Cream.

9:00  "Good-bye, Friends."

Wow!

What an amazing day with friends!

What a treat!

We all decided that we actually like getting up at 7:00

and going to First Service because . . .

it gives us a lot more time for FRIENDS!!!

Are you an Early Service or Late Service kind of family ?

What would YOU make for dinner if friends were coming in 2 1/2 hours ???

Caramel Oat Chewies

I discovered this recipe a couple of months ago,

and they were a HIT with my kids and their friends.

Caramel Oatmeal Chewies

(adapted from a Nestle Toll House cookbook)

  1 3/4 cups Oats (not instant)                           3/4 cup Butter (melted)

  1 3/4 cups Flour (divided)                                 2 cups Chocolate Chips

     3/4 cup Brown Sugar (packed)                       1 cup Nuts (chopped)

     1/2 tsp. Baking Powder                                  1  cup Caramel Sauce 

     1/4 tsp. Salt                                                                (Ice Cream Topping)

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 9 x 13 pan.

Combine:  Oats, 1 1/2 cups Flour, Brown Sugar, Baking Soda, and Salt in large bowl.

Stir in:  Melted Butter.  Mix well.

Reserve 1 cup of Oat Mixture.  Press remaining oat mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan.

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Sprinkle with Chocolate Chips and Nuts.  Mix Caramel Sauce with remaining Flour in small bowl.  Drizzle over Chocolate Chips to within 1/4" of pan edges.  Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture.

Bake an additional 18 - 22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool in pan on wire rack.  Refrigerate until Firm, before cutting.

Let me know if you give them a try.

Let's Make Homemade Pizza

It is time for . . . 

Mama's Pizza Crust Recipe.

Oh yes!

Do you all like Homemade Pizza?

Have you ever made Homemade Pizza Crust?

What are your family's . . .

Favorite Pizza Toppings?

Mama's Pizza Crust

             3 - 3 1/2 cups Flour                               1 pkg. Yeast

                    3/4  tsp.  Salt                                1 cup warm Water

                       2  Tb.  Oil                                  1  Tb. Cornmeal

In large bowl, combine 2 cups Flour, undissolved Yeast, and Salt.  Stir very warm Water, and Oil into dry ingredients.  Stir in enough remaining Flour to make soft dough.  Knead Dough on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic (about 4-6 minutes).  Cover.  Let rest on floured surface for 10 minutes.

Lightly Oil  1  (14")  or  2  (12")  Round Pizza Pans.  Sprinkle with Cornmeal.  Form Dough into smooth ball.  Roll Dough to fit pans.

Top with your Favorite Pizza Sauce.  Add your Favorite combination of Meats and Veggies.  Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20.  Remove from oven and top with Grated Mozzarella Cheese.  Return to oven for 5 - 10 minutes (or until crust is done and cheese is melted).

Option:  Some people prefer to put the grated cheese on before the Meats and Veggies.  Either way works.  (smile)

God is Restoring My Ministry

I am sooooo....  excited!

As some of you know, I had a Speaking & Writing Ministry for 20+ years.  
However, I had to "put it on the shelf" when we brought home our 3 children from Ghana.

The past 5 years have been filled to the brim with crisis after crisis after crisis.
But, while life is still not a bed of roses, the Lord has been preparing me to speak again.

For the past 6 months, I had been feeling, 
"Is it time Lord?  Is it time to rebuild my ministry?  Is it time to speak again?"

Then, about 6 weeks ago or so, a woman from church phoned me and asked,
"Would you be interested in speaking at our Ladies Spring Tea?"

I nearly cried out with joy, but quickly responded, 
"Yes.  This is what the Lord has been planning for me."

Later, when I asked this woman (whom I do not know), 
"Who suggested that I be the speaker?"

She responded with a very quizzical look on her face,
"Actually . . . every person that I asked said to ask you."
(remember, we have only been at this church for 1 year
and I have not been involved in much ministry,so I would 
not be the "natural" person for everyone to suggest)

Yes.  The Lord has confirmed it.  It is time to rebuild my ministry.

So, I have been busy, busy, busy preparing for this event,
which happens to be TOMORROW.  Oh. So. Excited.

First of all, of course, I began preparing my talk for The Tea.
After writing most of the outline, though, the Lord had me 
set it aside and write a completely different message, which for 
me was another confirmation that He was in control.  (smile)

I am excited about the message that the Lord has given me to share tomorrow.
I am excited to see what ladies the Lord has called to come hear His message.
And, I am excited to do so much more than "just" give a message.
I truly hope and pray and believe that this is the START of new ministry for me.

So, in addition to "just" writing my message and preparing to share it,
I have been busy, busy, busy preparing all of my New Ministry "Stuff".

I have revamped my Brochures, and need to add a New Picture today.
I have done a bit of work on my Ministry Website, changing dates and ages, etc . . .

I have been burning CDs one after another, so that I will have a Sale Table.  Woo Hoo!
I bought a Laser Writer for CDs over 5 years ago, and Never Used It.  I am so ready now!

I have been working hard to figure out how to convert some of my
professionally recorded Cassette Tapes into CDs.  (big smile . . . yes, it's been awhile)

I went shopping yesterday and bought a Cute New Outfit,
because, of course, my old Speaking Attire does. not. fit.  Oh Yea!



Today I get to . . .

. . .  burn more Ministry CDs.

. . .  find my Business Cards.

. . .  comb bind some of my Books. 
      (I bought a comb binder 5 years ago, too,
        but have never taken it out of the box.)

. . .  make a Price Poster.

. . .  print off my CD Descriptions.
       (to put in the CD cases)

. . .  try to get a few of my Cassettes Converted to CDs.


Today, I wish I were a bit more "tech-minded".
(or that some of my "tech-minded" sons still lived at home)
But, I have learned a LOT this week, already.


Please Pray . . .

. . .  that I would Accomplish all that I set out to do today.

. . .  that the Lord would refine the Message that He wants me to give.

. . .  that the Ladies the Lord intends this message for, will all be in attendance.

. . .  that the Lord would guide and direct me as to how to Move Forward in ministry.



I will be posting next week how YOU can buy my Ministry CDs and Books.

I currently have available . . .

Professionally Recorded Ministry CDs:

The Challenge of Chores for Children

What's Cooking?  How to Save Money at the Grocery Store and Time in the Kitchen

Homeschooling a Houseful: Teaching Toddlers & Teenagers & all the In-Between-Agers

Sibling Relationships:  Teamwork or Torment


Comb Bound Books:

Miracles Happen:  Stories of God's Faithfulness

Life is Like a Circus


I also have DREAMS . . .

of taking a Road Trip and ministering to groups that YOU pull together:

. . .  Mothers of Preschoolers

. . .  Adoptive Moms

. . .  Church Women's Events

. . .  Moms that want to Save Money at the Grocery Store

. . .  Homeschooling Moms

. . .  Women's Retreats

. . .  Mother / Daughter Retreats


I am EXCITED !!!

I am PRAYING !!!

I am DREAMING !!!


I am THANKNG Jesus for ALL that He has done in me and through me in the past 5 years,
and PRAYING that He will use it all for His GLORY as He directs me to share His stories.