How to Have a Ministry Outside of the Box

The complaint usually comes in one of two ways. Sometimes it's the plaintive sigh from the mom on the playground as she looks over at her children giggling on the swings. "I just don't have a ministry right now. My life is on hold until the kids get in school." Other times, it is the woman at church who gives the self-deprecating excuse, "I would love to minister for the Lord, but I don't have any talents."

There are a few things that we tend to forget about ministry:

1. A minister is a servant.  Glamorous? No. Eye-catching? Hardly. Being a minister is reaching down to the lowliest and asking, "How can I serve you today?" It is scrubbing dirty, tired feet. It is in the tedious details of service with the likelihood that few but the Master will ever notice.

2. Ministry is not about us.  In a day when pastors, singers, writers and Bible teachers are given celebrity status; it is easy to lose focus of what the purpose of ministry is. If a ministry does not point to Christ, giving Him every bit of the glory, it is just a sham. Also, if ministry begins to be more about "fans" than service to others, it has lost the very core of its definition.


3. The chief Example of ministry is Jesus. About 90% of Jesus' life was lived in obscurity. Other than his Birth and two childhood temple incidents, we know nothing of His life before His public ministry. When he did begin ministry, he primarily focused on 12 men. Much of the mere 3 years He spent ministering consisted of opposition from the church leaders of the day and their plot to kill Him. Even He, Creator of the universe, kept the focus off of Himself as He ministered to those around Him.

So, you are a woman who loves the Lord? Maybe you are a single woman living at home, a married woman or a mother. Maybe your children are all grown or you are raising them as a single mom. Whatever your circumstances, here are a few ways to recognize the ministry God has given you:

• Determine your season of life. If you are a mom of small children, you are probably not supposed to head the women's ministry, the choir and the youth group at the same time. God has given these little ones to you for such a short time and they are your ministry! If you are a grandmother, you may have the time and experience to devote to more pursuits.
• Inventory the gifts you already have.  Many times, if a woman isn't a born teacher or a natural singer, she feels she has little use in the church. Teaching and singing are just two of a myriad of ways one can minister for the Lord to others. Maybe you have a passion for baking. God may just call you to bake some cookies for a new neighbor or the older person at church. Or maybe you love to talk on the phone. You may be just the one to call those that weren't able to be in church due to illness and encourage them.
• Remember that your ministry is unique. God calls each of us to different things because we are all different. I have a friend that does yard work for elderly people and those that cannot do it themselves. Another friend sends sweet notes of encouragement to those that are going through a rough time while holding them up to the Lord in prayer. Others minister by opening their homes in hospitality, their bank accounts to those with genuine need and their schedules to sit with a lonely person.

I'll never forget a story that a pastor told once about a person in his church who claimed she had no ministry. He told her to buy a bouquet of flowers and take it to the hospital and pass them out one at a time to the patients while telling them Jesus loved them. The lady took his advice and had a beautiful ministry for many years.

Who knows what God can do with us if we think outside the box of church walls to minister within the circle of our great globe filled with needy people? 

Are They Prepared?

The proud, solemn, measured march, the colorful gown, mortarboard and tassel, and that precious piece of paper. Graduation Day is one of the highlights of life, a huge accomplishment. Twelve long years of cramming facts into one's head, and learning lessons that will last a lifetime are behind those excited students, and they feel ready to take on the world!

Whether your child has attended a public school, private school, or homeschool, when they finish the state's requirements for graduation, they're considered ready to be sent out into the world. They've learned all they need to learn in order to either proceed into college or on to their life's work.

But...are they ready? Have they been prepared in the ways that matter? So often, I'm afraid, we think that just because someone is a "good girl or boy", and just because they've gone to church every time the doors were open and had devotions every day, that they're ready                      for anything and everything that life has to throw at them. Not so.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: 

and be ready always to give an answer to every man 

that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 

with meekness and fear."  

 1Peter 3:15 (KJV)

These young people need to know their Bible through and through. They need to know how to study it and understand it. Will they know how to respond when they face questions and criticism from those who try their best to undermine and destroy their faith? Will they be able to stand on the firm foundation of Scripture? Or will they fall? Will the fragile little belief system and pat, memorized answers support them? Hardly. 

I speak from experience. During my growing-up years,I attended a Christian school. (And I'm very grateful that my grandparents sacrificed so much so that I could go there.) Along with the regular subjects, I learned how to dress, talk, and act, and I learned to parrot nice little cliches and phrases like a pro. On the outside, I looked like the epitome of a good girl with a firm, biblical foundation upon which to stand.  But on the inside, I was confused. If I had been pinpointed, I could never have given a sound, scriptural reason for why I believed what I believed, or why I did the things I did. Oh, I could have parroted the things I'd heard/memorized, but I didn't have a good grip of even some of the basic teachings of the Bible.

I've witnessed this over and over. Parents expect the church and the Christian school to teach their children what they need to know. These children aren't properly discipled by anyone, let alone their parents, and then they're shoved out into the world with either no foundation at all, or one that is so weak it will crumble at the slightest nudge. It's time we, as parents, stopped being lazy about the most important area in our children's lives. It's our duty to not only live the life of a Christian in front of them every day, but also to be sure that we ourselves know enough to teach them what they need to know to defend their faith. It's the most important subject they'll learn.

Genesis 1:1, the story of Creation,  is the most basic of these, as nearly every other doctrine hinges that passage of Scripture. Here's an example of what I mentioned earlier; I only realized how important the teaching of the literal 6 day creation was in the last three or four years. I had no idea how vital it is to the very core of what we believe. But it is! That's just an example. There are many other issues, and, to be honest, I'm still trying to remedy that lack of knowledge. I have so much to learn. Education isn't everything, I know, and too much education and not enough faith can ruin a person. But it's wrong to use that as an excuse to be lazy about spiritual matters.

Another example is the subject of worldview. Until a few years ago, I really didn't even know what a worldview was. What is your worldview? Is it more secular than you think?  It's so important that you know how to shape your worldview according to the Bible!

I guess I've said all that to say this. Don't leave it all up to the preacher or the teacher. YOU are the parent. You teach them the Bible. Be sure they have the answers they need, and a firm foundation upon which to stand before they step out into the "real world". It's wonderful for them to make high grades in their academic subjects, but it's far more important that they make an "A" in the study of Scripture, and the knowledge of how to apply God's Word in all of the situations they'll undoubtedly face.

Send them out...prepared.

Remembering on Memorial Day

He's fun-loving and, truth be told, a little ornery. He loves to make people laugh, and he only stops moving when he is sleeping. He's our little Joey---the baby. He's also our little memorial. A strange word to describe a small person who has lived in our household for less than two years. The dictionary describes memorial as "preserving the memory of a person or thing," 

When we were trying to decide on a name for yet another boy joining our family, we pieced together memories of those gone from us and gave our youngest the solemn duty of calling us to remember three special people from our history every time we called his name. Two of them served our country so it is fitting to share their stories on Memorial Day. One of them never got a chance to serve, yet he fought his own battles and forged freedoms of a different kind. 

*****

Source

Family albums full of dark hair. I study the pictures and try to see glimpses of my husband's heritage. "He looks so much like my brother," my mother-in-love tells me. I fail to see my husband's blond head mirrored in the photos. At my quizzical glance, she says, "You didn't meet my brother that fought in the war." She unwraps the story of the young man due home in a few weeks, and how he stayed behind to work while his buddies left to grab a cup of coffee. Then of the explosion that shattered more than the life of a young man. She, a young girl yet, watching her mama's grief as her empty arms grasped a folded flag instead of her boy home and safe. We can wonder what might have been, but it is futile. So, we remember.

Source

I study my own mama's album. Blond hair again---so white blond it's laughable when looking at the dark hair of my grandparents and my own mother. "You didn't meet my brother, "she tells me. "I barely remember him myself." She unwraps another story about a nine-year-old boy we remember as "Joey".  How he walked the streets and visited the teacher's desk, asking, "Can I tell you about my Jesus?" The straining of a mama to save her little boy from the fire raging in his little play house and the scarring of hearts as the pain burned for years after. The tears of a teacher who wouldn't hear of Jesus from the student in front of her desk but whispered His name as she stood in front of a small closed box at the funeral parlor. Again, we could wonder what might have been, but all we can really do is remember. 

Source

I lean down to gaze into the eyes that don't really see me. The white blond hair of his son's photos fades to silver white on his own head. He is nearing ninety as I near his chair. "Hi, Grandpa!" He doesn't remember. Not me, his first grandchild or my mama, his first and only daughter. He no longer recalls his wife of over 50 years or the years of service he traded for our freedom. I grasp his hand....still tangible. As are my memories...memories of what has been. The ones I'll tell my little Joey about the men he is named for. So that he will remember, too.






Who are you remembering this Memorial Day?

Weekend Reflections: Memorial Day Edition

Source

Freedom Is Not Free

Kelly Strong

I watched the flag pass by one day.

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,

and then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil?

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea?

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?

No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of TAPS one night,

When everything was still

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That TAPS had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

We take far too much for granted. On Memorial Day, take some time to think of the price that has been paid for your freedom. 

Looking Back...

Here's what we talked about this week:

• Budget and Kid-friendly Date Nights at Home
• Read & Share: How to Miss a Childhood
• Faithful Mothers
• Recipe for Diploma Cookies
• The Family that Works as a Team (Review & Giveaway!)

From the Archives...

• Housekeeping Extremes

Looking Ahead... 

Next Week 
Jennifer will share a memorial day post on Monday and the devotional on Wednesday, I (Jessica) will try to make your load a little easier by sharing some helpful links with you on Tuesday, Joanna will share with us on Thursday. Since I'm not sure what the "boss" has in mind for Friday, I'll just encourage you to come find out! :)  

Thank You!
Watching those numbers go up on our Facebook page has been like a shot in the arm. Thank you so much for joining with us in our endeavor to learn together and encourage one another! If this blog has been a help to you, please share it with your friends!
Once again we'd like to let you know that we love to hear from our readers. Feel free to contact us at any time via Facebook or by emailing us at  homekeeper31 (at) gmail (dot) com.



Giveaway!
Don't forget the current giveaway! It's open until next Thursday, May 31st. It takes less than a minute to enter! Follow this link:

The Family that Works Together as a Team

The Family that Works as a Team

In our family, we try to emphasize that we are a team, not just a group of individuals. I remind my children of this when there is a skirmish, but especially when there are chores to be done. Some of the time I get, "That's not my job!" or "Why do I have to do it?"

This week, though, I must say our team did a pretty great job. My husband had surgery which necessitated my being gone for most of the day at the hospital with him. My dear parents took care of my kids. When I brought my husband home that evening, my daughter had done nearly all the laundry. She knew it needed to be done and the team member that normally did it was not there, so she stepped in.

My husband was restricted on lifting, so our whole family went out to do the yard work that he normally does efficiently by himself. He did what he could while the rest of us were his "lifters". This is an example of working as a team for a common goal.

When my friends from Eternal Encouragement gave me a choice of several items to review for my Gabby Moms assignment, I jumped at the chance to review the Chores Bundle. I feel like I always need help on reinforcing our "team effort" on chores!

The truth is, I am still enjoying this product. I read all of the e-books, however I am still listening to the audios. Our "team" is not often quiet enough for me to listen to something!

I got so many neat ideas from the Chores bundle e-books. I loved seeing the sample chore lists and systems that Lorrie uses for her family. It was so helpful to see what I could expect of each age of child. I won't spoil it for you by telling you what is in the book, but here is what all is included:

• Audios
• God Blesses This House, But He Doesn't Clean It
• God Blesses This House, But He Doesn't Organize It
• 12 Super Simple Time-Saving Tips
• Cheerful Children and Challenging Chores

• E-Books
  • Neat and Tidy Tried and True Organization Tips
  • Turn Housework Into Fun and Games!

• E-Booklet
  • Keep It Clean and Toxin-Free

This bundle is over a $100 value and usually sells for a quarter of that. However, you can have a chance to win your own copy! It's not too often that Eternal Encouragement gives the items to us Gabby Moms and to one of our readers as well. All you have to do to enter is click through to this giveaway form let them know where you heard about the giveaway. This giveaway will end Thursday, May 31 at 9:00 P.M. EST. The winner will be announced June 1st.

Hope you win!



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the giveaway item for review purposes and received no other compensation for the review. All opinions are mine.

Diploma Cookies

Diploma Cookies

With Graduation Season fast approaching, I thought I would share this recipe with you so you could make them for YOUR favorite Grad! :0)  As your baking them you can go down memory lane and recall all those fun days with your little one.  Now you're onto a new phase in life and will be making new memories.  Happy Baking!

 Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 pound vanilla-flavored candy coating (almond bark)

Decorate with a narrow ribbon in school colors

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray cookie sheets with no-stick cooking spray. Generously butter handle of wooden spoon. Set aside.

Combine egg whites and lime juice in large bowl. Beat at high speed until foamy. Continue beating, gradually adding sugar, until glossy and stiff peaks form. Gently stir in flour and butter.

Spoon 2 teaspoon batter onto prepared cookie sheet; evenly spread batter to 3-inch circle. Repeat with remaining batter, placing only 3 cookies on each cookie sheet. (Do not reuse cookie sheets without first washing and reapplying no-stick cooking spray.)

Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Immediately shape cookies by wrapping around buttered handle of wooden spoon. Gently remove from cookie sheet; cool completely.

Melt candy coating in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted (3 to 4 minutes). Carefully dip each end of cookie in coating. Gently shake cookie to remove excess coating. (Cookies are very fragile.) Place on waxed paper until coating is set (15 minutes). Repeat with remaining cookies and coating.

Faithful Mothers

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

II Timothy 1:5

 With May being a time to celebrate Mother’s Day, I have recently been thinking of the many faithful mothers who have impacted my life.  First and foremost is my own precious Mother. She has been a rock in my life and had been my best friend until I gained a new one in my husband. The list continues as it includes those I watched as a child and even some who have been a pattern for me as my own family has grown.  Women of prayer that I heard crying out to God.  Ladies of grace who demonstrated it in their daily lives.  Devoted mothers who were determined to see their children follow in the footsteps of Jesus and not only their children, but even others that they could influence.  

Recently, one of those Godly mothers that have greatly impacted my life was privileged to go to Heaven.  This caused great grief, yet there is joy in my heart to think of how she is pain free and celebrating in Heaven. Other mothers of faith that were influential in my spiritual development are home with Jesus, as well.  This gives me a deeper desire to make it to that Celestial City. Only God knows when the departure time is for each of us. Until then, I aspire to have an unfeigned faith that dwelt first in my grandma, my mother and other mothers of faith to be exemplified in my life.

In one of my college classes, the question was asked “What would you want on your gravestone?” Peculiar question, but it has been imbedded in my mind since then. My response was the simple word, “Faithful”. That is what I want to be known for. Faithful to my God! Faithful to my husband! Faithful to my children! Faithful to my church! Faithful to my family! Faithful to my friends! Faithful to sinners! Faithful to life! As I live my life, my prayer is that others can say that even now.   When I step across the span of time and space to join those other faithful mothers that have impacted me, my deepest desire is that individuals that are left behind will unequivocally say, “She was faithful!”.  

~Tonya

Read & Share: How to Miss a Childhood

Today, I'm sharing another link with you. This post convicted me to the core. I wish every mother...every parent...would read it and allow it to not only stir them, but to change them!

Childhood passes by so quickly. Seems like it's gone with one blink. Our children are only with us for a short time. Are we missing their childhood?

Please read this and share it!

How to Miss a Childhood

Budget and Kid-Friendly Date Nights at Home

You may have been able to relate with our post about finding it difficult to do date nights with kids, especially at home: How We Do Date Nights with Kids at Home

 Even if you do get to go out of the house for a date more often than we do, you may wish it weren't so expensive. Here are a few ways to restructure some traditional dates so they can be done at home for less money:

Dinner and a Movie

Find copy cat recipes from the restaurant of your choice and cook dinner together. If you don't go to movies, you can get one from the library or rent one online. If you don't watch movies at all, you can play a video game together. If you have no screen in your house besides your computer, you can always peruse Facebook together (now that's entertainment!). If all else fails, you can simply talk over dinner and remember what life was like when constant technology was not needed to enjoy meaningful relationships.

Mall Shopping and Popcorn

I told you about how my husband goes shopping with me sometimes here. Shopping, of course, takes money and isn't very budget friendly unless you're okay with window shopping. (Any more, window shopping with husbands and sons at the mall is not a good idea!) If your man agrees, you could always try on the clothes you already have and see which outfits are his favorites. Or, if he's not into that, you could make a shopping list of things you'd both like to buy and "dream" together. As for the popcorn, I just came up with the perfect at-home alternative to our favorite (but pricey!) caramel corn from the mall:

Preheat oven to 375. Melt 1/2 cup a butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer for a few minutes. While it is simmering, pop 1/4 cup of popcorn in a bag in the microwave (no need to add butter, salt or sugar). Pour brown sugar mixture over popped corn and mix well to make sure it's completely coated. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake 7 - 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before digging in. Mmmm!

Conversation over Coffee

While this is one of the cheaper dates we do, sometimes it's difficult to get out of the house to go to a coffee shop. Here a few coffee recipes to try at home while you talk in the comfyness (Is that a word? Spell check is saying no.) of your own living room:

Homemade Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
How to Make a Latte at Home Without the Machine

Of course, there's always plain old coffee or hot cocoa if you don't drink coffee. It may even be fun to pull out the Checker or Monopoly board and add a little competition with the caffeine!


Camping Out

I have many memories of camping when I was a little girl and as a family after we got married. Most of them have involved RVs, so I don't know if that really qualifies. However, whether you camp in a primitive spot with a tent or all decked out in an RV, you can always enjoy the campfire experience. Put the kids to bed, grab the baby monitor, build a small fire in the backyard and sip hot cocoa or sodas by the campfire while you look at the stars together. Whether you want to put up a tent is up to you. I think I'd just want to finish my cocoa and head back to my warm bed! :-)

Bed and Breakfast

Going away overnight is one of the highlights of our year when it comes to dating. We try to do it at least once a year although we've had to skip a few due to finances and small babies. When it just isn't possible to go away from home, you can make your own bedroom into a hotel room. It may take some extra cleaning and decluttering. Maybe you could spruce it up with a few inexpensive amenities or decorations. Light candles and play soft music. If you have older kids, you could have them make breakfast for you. Or, you could stay at home while they go out to Grandma's, sleep in and make breakfast with some special foods you don't buy very often.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have fun! And feel free to tell us all about it in the comments so we can try some of your ideas.

Weekend Reflections: Kids' Room Edition

Why is this the Kids' Room edition? Because that is what I've been working on for two. days. straight. You can imagine what the rest of the house looks like! We are in the process of streamlining to better fit 4 children into one bedroom while giving the one girl of the lot her "own space". If we succeed, I may post pictures. If we do not....well, I won't go there. 

 

Looking Back...

Here's what we talked about this week:

• How to make convenience foods at home
• When you feel insignificant
• Making homeschooling easier with batch cooking
• My missing post: It was supposed to be a review of a product which I cannot find amidst the piles generated by the organizing of the kids' room. Ahem. Just keeping it real. I will get to it soon, I hope!

From the Archives...

• How to feed our children like Jesus did His

Looking Ahead... 

Next Week: 

Get some new ideas for date nights when you can't go anywhere.  Jessica and Joanna will share what is on their hearts, and we will open the Word with Tonya. On Friday, I will tell you about a great bundle from Eternal Encouragement for Children and Chores and a giveaway opportunity for you!

We want to hear from you!

O.K. what I feared would happen....did. We put up some reader questions on Facebook, and no one wanted to chime in with their thoughts.

Instead of us coming up with questions, would you rather come up with your own? You can address them to us on things you'd like us to talk about or to other readers to hear their experiences and advice. Stop by and visit today!

Batch Cooking for Homeschool Moms

Most homeschool mamas will readily admit that, after a long day of homeschooling, preparing the evening meal is something less than enjoyable. Batch cooking is a wonderful way to save time and effort in the kitchen, and yes, even homeschool moms can find the time!

Here are a few tips for fitting in some quick batch cooking sessions:

1. Chicken

I often cook a large batch of boneless, skinless chicken breast for the freezer. If you use your slow cooker, you can start the chicken while your children are finishing breakfast, and it will be completely cooked by lunch time. Allow it to set until cool enough to handle, then chop or shred it while your children finish lunch or take a short break.

2. Ground beef

Cooking ground beef for the freezer is so simple and fast.You could also brown and freeze other ground meats, such as sausage or ground turkey. Again, this can easily be accomplished during your noon break from homeschooling. By the time your afternoon lessons are completed, the meat will be cool enough to be packaged and frozen.

3. Rice

Rice can be cooked in large batches and frozen for later use. If you have a rice cooker, the rice can be started before you leave the kitchen in the morning, and the cooker will shut off when the rice is fully cooked.

Other things that can be prepared during lunch break, or while you are waiting for a casserole to come out of the oven:

• Cheese--shred or dice; freeze in desired quantities
• Onions--dice; flash freeze on a cookie sheet, then transfer to freezer bag
• Green peppers--dice; flash freeze, then store in freezer bag
• Pizza sauce--mix all ingredients; ladle appropriate amounts into freezer containers

With a bit of creativity, even a busy homeschool mom can fit in a quick batch-cooking session or two. And when mealtime rolls around again, you'll reap the benefits of a well-stocked freezer!

Little is Much

Have you ever felt like you don't amount to much; and your talents are so insignificant?  Maybe you have felt like you really have no purpose in life...  Probably most of us have felt like this at one time or another.  The enemy of our souls will try to defeat and discourage us in any way he can.  He would like for us to just give up serving the Lord and to forget even trying.  However, we have a God who created us just the way we are for a purpose.  He has a plan for each and every one of us.  He doesn't need someone who has lots of talent.  He just wants a heart that is willing to be used by Him.

He used a young shepherd boy to defeat a Giant; a jewish girl to save her Nation; a young Virgin to be the mother of His Son; a balding persecuter of the Church to be His greatest missionary; and fishermen to be his closest confidants.  He doesn't need you to be great...He just wants you to submit your life to Him and allow HIM to decide what He needs you to be.  The words of the song say it best..." Little is much when God is in it..."  He can take the smallest talent, and turn it out to be the biggest blessing.

"Place your life in His hands, rest secure in His plan"... Our Father knows best.  Let's trust Him and allow Him to use us.

Joanna

Healthier Convenience Foods

I am busy. You are, too. We have responsibilities. Most of us have husbands. Many of us have children. Some of us are even crazy enough to home school those children. A few of us even have work-for-money jobs as well as all those things we do for nothing but sticky kisses and the change we find in the washing machine.

So, I get the fact that you like convenience. I do, too. However, most of the convenience foods we buy at the store come at a price. A price to our pocketbook, and whether we want to admit it or not, our health.

I decided to share with you a few of the convenience foods we enjoy that are healthier and taste oh so much better, too! Maybe you can get a few new ideas. I'd love for you to share your own in the comments as well.

1. Popcorn
I hate to break it to you, but when you buy microwave popcorn, there is a lot in there besides corn. If you eat a lot of popcorn, or if you eat it in massive amounts when you do make it (not that we do that....I'm just sayin'), it can be pricey as well. Buy some paper lunch sacks and a bag of yellow popcorn and make it yourself. Add some melted butter and salt before popping in the microwave or try this delicious Kettle Corn for a sweet treat.

2. Hot Cocoa
It's embarrassing to admit how old I was before I realized that one could make hot cocoa from, well, cocoa. I just figured it wouldn't quite be the same without those neat little packets. Then, while reading the side of my trusty Hershey's cocoa canister one day, I realized that there was a way to throw some cocoa and sugar in a mug and add milk to make my own delicious cup. And delicious is right! Adding water to some chemicals just does not compare to real whole milk in real chocolate. Yum!

3. Hamburger Helper
In our early days of marriage, one of these little boxes was cheap and it fed my husband and I. It also promised variety since it came in so many different flavors. I have no idea if they are still cheap, but I have a feeling that it would take at least 3 boxes to feed my family since they already polish off alarming amounts considering they are years away from being teenagers. Laura of Heavenly Homemakers has this great solution which I tried not too long ago. We still polished it off, but I didn't have to worry about unidentifiable chemicals.

4. Onion Soup Mix
This seems to be a staple in a lot of meat dishes to add flavor. I won't get all scientific, but let me just tell you it's not the onions doing the flavoring. For a long time, I just used garlic and onions to replace this flavoring. We were happy, but I was really ecstatic to find another of Laura's recipes for this mix. Now I can jazz up meat dishes and casseroles without jazzing up the MSG.

5. Fruit Snacks
Ah! Fruit snacks. The "healthy" snack of the '90s. After all, they were fat free and the label said they contained real fruit juice. I ate these as my fruit serving in my lunch box for years. Now they occasionally make their way into our house. Usually because someone has given them to the kids. As much as they like snacks, it's just not cost-effective for me to buy something that doesn't fill them up. When they do get them, I put them in the candy dish with the Lemon Heads. Because they're the same thing.

The fruit snacks I do buy? They come in colors like red, orange, yellow, blue and purple. The kind of colors that don't have numbers after them. They come in neat little packages, too. The yellow and orange have biodegradable packaging that just peels off. The red, blue and purple can be eaten in their packaging. Yep, you guessed it. We buy the original fruit snacks that remember when they hung on a tree or bush. A lot more filling than a drop of fruit juice, a ton of sugar and more of those lab-concocted ingredients.

What about you? What convenience foods do you make at home?

Weekend Reflections: Mother's Day Edition

Happy Mother's Day to all of you that have birthed children: from your body, from your heart and from your prayers. Thank you to all you do to change the world!

 

Looking Back...

Here's what we talked about this week:

• So how am I supposed to "be flexible" anyway?
• What to do when the "best-laid plans" fail in a ministry home
• How to mother like Jesus
• Why home can't run well without mom
• An opportunity to use Facebook to advance motherhood

From the Archives...

• Why Jesus Came

Looking Ahead... 

Next Week 
We will visit the kitchen to find out how to make some convenience foods at home to save money and health. We'll learn more about homeschooling and large families from Judy and get some ideas for teaching preschoolers as well. Joanna will share her thoughts from God's Word and Jessica will give us her perspective on Tuesday.

We want to hear from you!

We try to have a variety of contributors here on Cherish the Call from minister's wives to farmer's wives.  We have moms of newborns to moms with children painfully close to leaving the nest. Our contributors consist of keepers of homes in the sprawling countryside to women who could see into their neighbor's window from theirs if they actually had time to scrub off the fingerprints. 

 

However, we realize that there are many more unique women out there with special gifts and new perspectives that our little group does not have. We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions as our readers.

We're going to throw out two reader questions on which you can contribute your thoughts either on our Facebook page or in an e-mail to us. We will open a conversation on each question so you can just comment with your opinions on Facebook. If you prefer e-mail, send your comments to us at homekeeper31 (at) gmail (dot) com with Reader Question in the subject line by next Thursday, May 17.

I'm sticking my neck out hoping a few of you will participate on at least one of them. That will make it more fun and helpful for all of us!

Here they are:

• If you send your children to public school, how do you help them maintain a Christian witness without being influenced by the culture?
• If you have older children, what do you wish you would have known when they first laid that newborn in your arms and how would that have affected your parenting?

Do You Facebook?

I don't know if it is a happy or a sad day when I find myself using the proper noun "Facebook" as a verb. I also don't know if it is correct. Facebook has a way of messing with grammar anyway. All those statuses with errors in them ---its enough to make me loose my patients. But enough about grammar.

I also know Facebook is infamous for stealing away our time from our husbands, homes and children. It can be totally pointless at times. At least it has that potential.

However, my friend Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement magazine, has decided to change Facebook from a means to fritter away our time to a new resource used for blessing our families. Incidentally, she rarely makes grammar errors and checks on us to make sure we don't either.

As a Gabby Mom, I want to let you know about her Mother's Day party to encourage you and me as moms:

If you have never attended one, let me tell you all about it from my vast experience of having attended....one. Ahem. Yes, I attended the first Eternal Encouragement facebook party which was a blast. This is the second. So, it's new to all of us.

Picture a big party in a big house with lots of rooms. There are interesting, uplifting conversations going on in every room and you want to hear them all so you jump from conversation to conversation trying to take it all in. This is definitely for multi-tasking women. I doubt your husband would enjoy it much.

I definitely can use the motivation promised and a free gift is always nice. If you decide to show up on Facebook sometime between those hours  of 3 and 5 on Monday and you see me on there, let me know you're a Cherish the Call reader. I'd love to say hello to you, too!

Hey! While you're frittering away your time on Facebook gaining lots of encouragement for your mothering, why not stop by our Facebook page which has recently been revamped by Jessica. Let her know she's doing a great job, and feel free to invite your friends to Like our page as well.

Hope to see you there!

The Hub of the Wheel

Mother's Day is this Sunday, as I'm sure we are all aware.  When I think of the Home, I can't really imagine it being the place it is supposed to be without that amazing woman we all call "Mom" being the center of it all.  A Mom is like the center of a wheel- the hub that holds everything else together.  Maybe you don't like being compared to a tire; However, I still think it is a fitting analogy for the point I am trying to get across, so bear with me... :0) 

Growing up, I can remember only one time when my mom was truly sick and unable to take care of us kids.  However, I remember it so well, because NOTHING seemed to go right when mom wasn't there or able to do her usual duties... I specifically recall trying to get ready to go to school that morning.  My mom had the flu, so was in bed and unable to do my hair like she usually did.  My dad, being the wonderful man that he is, was doing his best to get us kids ready for our day and to school on time.  When it came time for my hair to be done... I was desperate!  I had not yet mastered (uh, and STILL haven't, but I manage...) the art of doing my own hair.  So, dad said he'd give it a whirl...and what a WHIRL it was when he got done with it! :0)  Needless to say...I guess I'm ASHAMED to say...my poor ailing mother had to get out of bed and  come and do my hair.

Now, that is a silly illustration that really doesn't describe a "life and death" type of situation, I know... but... I think you can see even from a simple thing like that, that you're NEEDED mom!  As I have just recently joined the wonderful world of "mommy-dom" myself; I realize that there are days that as a mom, you feel like your needed a little too much, and too often... :0)  However, being a mommy is one of the most important jobs (I feel THE most important) that anyone could ever have... Yes, you're on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Yes, you pretty much forfeit any hope of a good nights sleep.  No, you don't have a lot of "Me" time. Yes, you do have a HUGE responsibility...BUT with an ETERNAL reward. 

As a mom, you are responsible for teaching, training, and preparing your child (children) for Heaven.  That is really your sole purpose.  Yes, you have other things to teach them as well that are just part of life; but God has given you that little soul to guide to Heaven.  What is more important than that?!  So next time you're feeling like you really haven't accomplished anything big in life...that your JUST a mom... remember, God has entrusted to you a Soul that He will give you the Grace, strength and wisdom you need in order to get it to Heaven.  THAT is what being a mommy is all about! 

I am thankful for my godly mom, and how she took the time to teach, train, and prepare us for Heaven.  Now as an adult it is my turn to train my daughter.  What a huge responsibility a mom has, but what HUGE benefits!  Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

Joanna

Our Gentle Shepherd

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead 

those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

"...he...shall gently lead those that are with young...."


Who doesn't crave gentleness? In our society, moms are pushed, pulled, hounded and pounded with advice from every possible outlet. All the popular magazines shout at you with flashy pictures and thin, gorgeous models in perfect, pristine homes about how you can be a better mom...if you DO this, THINK that, LOOK like she does, and BUY this, and that, and this, and....... Then, there are those sweet, well-meaning ladies at church who know ex-act-ly how you should handle every little thing of which they take notice. And the mother-in-laws. Ah, the mother-in-laws. They're wonderful, and helpful, and....exasperating sometimes. Yes they are, admit it, and YOU are exasperating as a daughter-in-law. It goes both ways. Yes, it does. But that's their grand baby you're raising, and it's awful tough for them NOT to try to show you how to do it the right way. And even our husbands, God bless 'em, aren't always gentle in how they respond, or even in how they tell us how they think we need to do things. (While we, on the other hand, are never anything but gentle. Yeah. Right.)

Day in and day out, running errands, homeschooling or making sure everything is taken care of for traditional school, breaking up fights, cooking, cleaning, breaking up fights, listening to complaints, worrying about finances, breaking up fights, disciplining a child who has already spent most of the day being disciplined, stressing about everything you feel like you need to do and haven't done, breaking up fights.... It's exhausting and ties our stomachs up in knots that'd put a boy scout to shame.

Maybe you hear other mothers joyfully tell about how encouraged they are spiritually and how much better they feel since they lost thirty pounds last month, and they look like they have it all together...not a hair out of place, sweet and unruffled dispositions, perfect children who can quote whole books of the Bible, beautiful, spotless homes...and you feel worse about your imperfect self than ever. Guilt hangs like an April thundercloud over your head. You can barely remember if you had devotions this morning at all, let alone remember any encouraging little tidbit from them. You spoke sharply to the first person you saw this morning, (because it happened to be your three-year-old finger painting on the walls with chocolate pudding) and you're still groaning with embarrassment because your son proudly told his Sunday School teacher that it was little Samuel who killed the lions in the den at Jericho before he built the Ark that took the disciples to the Garden of Eden. The harder you try, the worse it gets. Exaggerated? Maybe. But that's how it feels sometimes.

It's crushing to feel so driven. 

Sometimes, we'd give an awful lot just to have someone put their arm around our shoulders and say, "You're doing just fine. I love you."

That's what God does. He isn't harsh with us. He never drives us nor prods us. He leads us gently. He knows our frame and remembers that we're only dust. (Psalms 103:14) He knows the pressures we're under and how hard we try to live up to the expectations of others (whether we mean to or not).

So, if you're struggling today, trying to juggle everything and making a real mess of it, relax! God doesn't expect you to be Supermom. He only expects you to do your best with His help.

Take comfort in that, and rest in the gentle arms of your Shepherd today.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

From "All the Way My Savior Leads Me", by Fanny J. Crosby & Dr. Robert Lowry

Gentle Shepherd

Come and lead us

For we need you 

To help us find our way.

Gentle Shepherd

Come and feed us

For we need Your strength 

From day to day.

There's no other

We can turn to

Who can help us

Face another day.

Gentle Shepherd

Come and lead us

For we need You

To help us find our way.

From "Gentle Shepherd" by William J. and Gloria Gaither

Unscheduled Plans

Immediately you thought I was losing my mind by that title. I really haven’t, although, at times I think I might. YET, God is faithfully walking with me giving grace and help. Life in a parsonage can change in seconds. A schedule is determined in our household of how the day and week is planned. Usually by the end of that week, it hasn’t turned out anything like what I thought it would be.

I have learned that you must adjust accordingly. You might get a phone call in the middle of the night saying that someone has been life – flighted to a trauma center. Or you might get a text in the wee hours of the morning with news that a person for which you have earnestly prayed has finally made the choice to serve God and wants you to come and pray. It could be an early morning call from another just wanting a friendly chat. Or a knock on the door mid-afternoon with a surprise bucket of fried chicken. Whatever the case, it is a joy to be of service to the King!

My Pastor husband is not simply a preacher. He has a “shepherd heart” for he dearly loves his flock. There are times when I will voice concern over all he is doing. Stop! Relax! Yet he continues on with God’s strength. The past few weeks in our life have been extremely hectic. Easter activities… convention out-of-town…a trailer parked in our back yard to provide housing for a couple of needy souls…a traveling evangelist and his family (who are dear friends) stopped for an overnight visit enroute to their next revival and a mile from our house their transmission went out on their truck. Their overnight stay ended up being 11 nights much to their dismay and our children’s delight!...a minister’s conference in our church hence added responsibilities and preparation…a sick pastor…a community outreach flower give-away honoring mothers…a SICK pastor…a church to clean and sweep…a sick PASTOR…children’s church activities and Sunday School lessons to prepare..
A SICK PASTOR…did I mention to you that my husband got sick with a severe case of strep throat? Oh, but he did!

So did the schedule change? Uh, yep! It sure did! But that’s okay because we had lots of unscheduled plans and we survived! You know what? God helped! He was there and blessed in the midst of each activity. For if you take time to look then you will see that in the midst of unplanned circumstances, He has something for you to learn, something for you share, and something that is a blessing to others, if we don’t get bent out of shape by the unscheduled plans.

-Tonya