A Word For Me

As I sought the Lord on New Year's Day, I was looking for a 'word' or scripture for the year. Maybe a theme for the year? I also felt so different this year, sort of 'in the middle' of something already, so I wasn't really expecting something 'new'. I felt like maybe it was just going to be encouragement to press on in what he is already doing.

The lure of some new fresh word was very appealing though. What could it be? I felt like Cinderella trying on a 'shoe' for the ball, only I was trying on words.

Rest, has been big for me lately. . . Quiet, Jen shared this word from Zephaniah 3. He will quiet me with His love. . . Praise, has been a theme over the years. . . Prayer, believing prayer. . . Yes, from Ann Voskamps post. Yes to my children, yes, to You. . . Gentle, soft, my tone is so harsh at times. . . My words, only edifying, soft, kind, seasoned with grace. . . Faith, learning and growing in faith for healing. Living in the present moment. . . Slow, slowing down in life.

All these and more I try on.

"Show me Lord, clothe me with Your Word, I pray."

I continued to read scripture after scripture . . . maybe 'claim', 'possess'. Could You be calling me to these?

Maybe surrender? "That's a good one. I could surely use to surrender more to You."

Like a little girl, "Father, this one? How about this one . . . on and on I tried different words, but nothing seemed to fit just right.

"Father, here lies my heart, my hopes, my expectations for the new year. Be Thou my vision."

I sense no leading to make goals, resolutions, lists. It feels so strange, in a way, so different from my usual New Year meeting with my Father.

*****

Be Thou my vision echos in my heart . . .You being my vision . . . You being my 'goal'. Hmm.

He then proceeded to lead me to verse after verse about the secret things belonging to the Lord, or the vanity of trying to plan my course,or the presumption of knowing what I am going to do the next day, never mind the whole year! The arrogance that I'll even be given one more breath. (Ro. 11:33-36, Ro. 9:15-21, Ps 33:16-19, Is 45:9)

I reread two devotionals that I remembered I had set aside to purposely read this day.

" . . . times when we plan nothing, think nothing, simply rest a while . . . open spaces in life, hours when our soul is completely open and accessible to heavenly thought . . . simply be still and look heavenward. . . "

And

"Do I agree with God that I stop being the striving earnest kind of Christian I have been? Is there a place marked in my life as the last day. . . when you realize that it is ALL Him and none of me! All for Him and through Him, not me and Him, but Him alone!"

The word Nothing, Nothingness, Open Spaces, play over and over in my mind.

Nothing, nothingness . . . nothing of my own ideas or goals . . . open spaces for You to fill.

Ah, these fit perfectly! It might not seem like much, but it speaks volumes to my heart!

And I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by name . . . I am the Lord and there is no one else; there is no God besides Me, I will gird and arm you . . .

(Is 45:3 & 5)

BTW, I in no way am opposed to making goals or resolutions. In fact I love them, but they often consume me. That might be why my 'words' for the year are, nothing, nothingness and open spaces. This was just what the Lord had for this striving, needs to learn to rest in Him, Mama.

Hold His Hand

Do you ever have one of those moments when you feel like you are in way over your head? I mean way over your head with, well, LIFE in general! Being a mom, discipling your children, being a Godly wife, a daughter of the King, a homemaker . . . everything!

Journal excerpt:

Father, I bow before You and say I do not know what I am doing here, I mean with everything . . .I feel like I am in way over my head, way beyond my knowledge. I desperately need You. I need to see Your hand leading me. Often times I feel like a scared little girl who is lost and doesn't know which way to go. But, oh, the comfort of being able to reach my helpless little hand up and know my Daddy, my Abba Father takes my hand and leads the way!

My earthly daddy is a big man, and he has big and rough hands. I remember as a little girl holding his hand. My little hand enveloped in his big, strong, rough hand. I felt so safe. I knew as long as I was holding his hand I was going to be alright.

Fast forward twenty-five plus years. I am laying on an operating table about to be 'put under'. I have just suffered a difficult miscarriage at 17 weeks. I am afraid and alone. A very big man walks up beside my bed and introduces himself as my nurse and wonders if I might want to hold his hand. Behind the mask I see such gentle eyes. As he takes my hand, I realize his hand is big, strong and rough, just like my daddy. I immediately sense my Father's comfort, all fear was gone. Once again, safe, secure, peace, I am going to be alright.

Life can be so big and overwhelming at times. I am thankful I don't have it all figured out. I thought I did for years ;-) There can be great comfort in 'not knowing' because it causes us to cling all the more to Him! His wisdom, His guidance, His mercy!


UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.
O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You.

Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed;

let not my enemies triumph over me.

Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You

be put to shame or be disappointed;

let them be ashamed who forsake the right

or deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me,

for You are the God of my salvation; for You

[You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord?

Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

(Psalm 25:1-5, 12)

Scared?

Confused?

Alone?

Reach your hand up and find your Father's hand right there.

Oh, and if you can't even lift your hand, no worries, He will take your hand and lead you!

Can You Bow?

Listen to Me [says the Lord], O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been borne by Me from your birth, carried from the womb: Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you.

(Isaiah 46:3-4)

Are you having a hard time 'holding on' today?

Deliverance seems so far away?

Does it seem to be getting darker instead of brighter?

God knows exactly what you need and the very best time to bring deliverance.

Can you trust Him?

Can you bow to His sovereignty?

Can you, with all your fears and doubts, just bow before Him,

and trust the Sovereign Ruler of All?

Yes, you can!

In quietness and trust you shall be saved!

Weekend Ramblings

I sent Brian to the store on his way home and you would have thought he bought me two dozen yellow roses for as excited as I was when I saw all my yummy greens, pears, mangoes, and organic apples! You will see dandelion greens (can you believe someone gets paid to grow these?!), kale and escarole! This summer, Lord willing, my garden is going to be full of weeds! I mean dandelion and lambsquarter! I told Brian that he will be able to tell I have completely flipped my lid when I start transplanting dandelions from the front yard to the garden!

Aren't they beautiful!




The green smoothies are going over so well, still! I have gotten to the point where I put a TON of greens and celery and very minimal fruit and still LOVE it! I put in three stalks of celery, three heaping and overflowing handfuls of organic baby spinach, one pear and one apple and blend away! I drink it throughout the day. They are almost addicting. This is one food that would be good to almost be addicted too! Do you know how many greens we are getting in everyday? Even eating a couple of salads a day we wouldn't even come close to this.



The children are clamoring for more of them later in the day or after dinner. The other day I needed to make Brian's smoothie the night before, because he was leaving early in the morning for bible study, and we all fought over what didn't fit in his quart jar! When I say all, I mean me included. Guess who won? Me!





Brian and I were going over birth dates for our taxes and we once again marveled at the blessing these three little goobers have been! There is something so precious about seeing a group of littles so close in age. These three were born in three years. They are so close and do so much together. I love to see them running around outside together, it is so precious. I called them all to me and pretended they were in trouble and had them sit down in front of me then I plowed them over and kissed their faces! I just had to capture the sweetness of all three of them together.

I took a ton of pictures and the flash was causing serious blindness.

"Stop, Mama", they cried!

One last thought. Have you all ever heard of something called "comfort waistband"? I bought a pair of smaller size jeans at Goodwill that fit so well, I couldn't believe they weren't too tight in the waist. It was then that I discovered my new best friend! Lee Comfort Waistband! I don't know how they did it. The elastic is somehow attached to the jean and it still looks like a normal pair of jeans with a wonderful stretchy waistband! Have you seen these, I mean really! I think I should start a campaign to have all jeans have to have this 'comfort waistband'. Imagine the smiling women everywhere! Check it out, they are so comfy!

Hope you have a lovely weekend, full of grace and blessings!

Called Aside

Have you been “Called Aside”? Maybe you are in the throes of morning sickness and can’t do all the things you deem important.

Could it be the Lord has allowed some sickness that keeps you from the important things of life? You see the world around you going on, seemingly without you? You feel like you are failing at the very things He has called you to?

Perhaps a season of forced rest, frustrated plans, financial crisis, struggles that keep you from being as fruitful as you would like?

I read a devotion today by John Ruskin that reminded me that,

“There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song . . . God does not write the music of our lives without a plan. Our part is to learn the tune and not be discouraged during the rests . . . If only we will look up, God Himself will count the time for us. With our eyes on Him, our next note will be full and clear . . . The process is often slow and painful in this life, yet how patiently God works to teach us! And how long He waits for us to learn the lesson!”

Called aside –
From the glad working of your busy life,
From the world’s ceaseless stir of care and strife,
Into the shade and stillness by your Heavenly Guide
For a brief time you have been called aside.

Called aside –
Perhaps into a desert garden dim;
And yet not alone, when you have been with Him,
And heard His voice in sweetest accents say:
“Child, will you not with Me this still hour stay?”

Called aside –
In hidden paths with Christ your Lord to tread,
Deeper to drink at the sweet Fountainhead,
Closer in fellowship with Him to roam,
Nearer, perhaps, to feel your Heavenly Home.

Called aside –
Oh, knowledge deeper grows with Him alone;
In secret oft His deeper love is shown,
And learned in many an hour of dark distress
Some rare, sweet lesson of His tenderness.

Called aside –
We thank You for the stillness and the shade;
We thank You for the hidden paths Your love has made,
And, so that we have wept and watched with Thee, We thank You for our dark Gethsemane.

Called aside –
O restful thought – He doeth all things well;
O blessed sense, with Christ alone to dwell;
So in the shadow of Your cross to hide,
We thank You, Lord, to have been called aside.

John Ruskin

This brought such comfort to me as the enemy would have me believe that the 'rests' are a waste of time. That while resting in His sovereign will, I am somehow being unfrutiful or not doing what is important.

I hope you too will find comfort in resting right where He has you. The children and I sang Blessed Assurance today, and this line really spoke to me.


Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

I want this to be my story . . .

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

Most Recent Updates on Adrenal Fatigue

I have updated my adrenal fatigue posts and have included the supplements that I take for those who are interested. Blessings

Updates

The LIVING God!

Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you? (Daniel 6:20)

"God has never failed me. Even in my greatest difficulties, heaviest trials, and deepest poverty and need, He has never failed me. Because I was enabled by God's grace to trust Him, He has always come to my aid. I delight in speaking well of His name." George Mueller

I have not walked with the Living God for forty-four years, only close to half of that, but, this too has been my testimony!

It matters not what the trial or difficulty is, He is the LIVING GOD! The same, yesterday, today and forever!

Turn to Him today and find Him right there, ready to come to your aid. Faithful is HE!

O Lord Jesus, forgive us for doubting Your faithfulness. You are the LIVING God! Give us grace to trust You more. We love You, we praise You. We bless Your Holy Name!

Green Smoothies!

We have enjoyed smoothies of all types over the past couple of years, but green smoothies are the ultimate in nutrition and yumminess!


The elimination diet that I have the children on right now includes a green smoothie each day. I am thrilled to get these back into our diet on a regular basis.


I know there is a 'Green Smoothie Girl', a 'Green Smoothie Lady', and even 'Green Smoothie Divas', but to my knowledge, there is no 'Green Smoothie Mama'. That's what I think I have become! I 'dub' myself the 'Green Smoothie Mama'! This week alone I have made more than 50 green smoothies!


Have you all tried green smoothies? You absolutely HAVE to!

Do you get several servings of nutritious greens in everyday?

I didn't think so.

This is a super easy way, and they taste delicious!


Our current 'recipe' (due to the elimination diet) is:

Apple
Pear2-3 handfuls of greens
(organic spinach, organic romaine OR organic kale or Swiss chard)
water and ice


I am telling you these are awesome!


Frozen blueberries are a good additon, though they turn it purple, which might be good to start with if you are opposed to the 'green'. Mango is also very good.

In my research I have found some nuggets to share with you:


It is ideal to keep your green smoothies to just fruit and greens for better digestion. You can add flax seed, oils ect. if you want, but it is easier on your tummy to keep it simpler. Also, it digests quicker if you keep it to the fruit and greens.



Vary your greens if you are doing this everyday. You don't want to do only spinach or kale daily for weeks on end.


The possiblities are endless!


Spinach and romaine are the mildest with Swiss chard and kale following close behind. You really can't taste the green if you use enough fruit.


Make sure you use enough fruit to make it taste yummy, or you and the children will not drink it. Make it so you can't wait for the next one! You can slowly back off on fruit as you get used to the greens. I personally use way less fruit for me because of blood sugar issues, but I still love them.


A banana can cover a multitude of 'green' flavor! Freeze your bananas and toss one in!

You need a pretty decent blender to make these. I have used my Bosch blender, but due to the size of our family and the amount we go through, I am getting a Blendtec. You don't have to have a Blendtec to make these though, okay?


Do a search for 'green smoothies' and you will be overwhelmed with recipes! Remember, do keep it simple though.

Green Smoothie Girl is a great website to help explain the how-tos of eating better. I agree with tons of what she writes, though she is a little more 'plant based' than I am comfortable with. Watch her videos of how she makes smoothies. She is just a regular mom whose family's health has been changed dramatically from changing their diets, namely, adding green smoothies.



Try her Green Smoothies 30 day challenge, I think you will be thrilled with the results.


Green Diva Mom has some good easy recipes.


I have read about cravings vanishing, health and vitality returning, and countless other benefits from adding green smoothies in your diet.


I personally have experienced quite a few in these past few weeks. I 'feel' better, and have more energy. I already didn't have too many cravings, but I can say they are gone! I even went to the movies with Brian and didn't even so much as think about eating the popcorn. Now, all glory does need to go to God because I did pray and ask Him to help me not eat it, but I didn't even want it! You have to know that I have never, ever gone to a movie and not gotten popcorn . . .never!


I do crave even more veggies than I did before. Only time will tell how many more changes will take place!


Are you inspired?

Are you going to try a green smoothie?

Let me know if you do.

Go get your blender out. Put in a cup or so of water.

Put a couple of handfuls of greens in the blender. (what? no greens in the house? See you need this!)

Cover and turn on for 30-60 seconds to really blend the greens up well.

Now add peeled and quartered apple, pear and maybe a banana and blend until smooth!

If you like it colder (I do!) add ice if your blender can handle it.

Go ahead, try it. Trust me!

Weekends Together

I adore weekends! Mainly because Brian is home. I have been known, on Monday morning, to say, "do you really have to go to work?" Well, truth be told, I say it every Monday! We love our weekends. We love to be together. We do all we can, together!

We play together, pray together, cuddle and snuggle at every corner, we shower together, we laugh together, we parent together, we work together! Saturday night is our standing "date" night, which for years has just meant we sneak off downstairs to a candlelit room and watch something we have recorded or an old "West Wing"episode. We usually have popcorn (when we are not doing some silly elimination diet ;-), and kombucha. We snuggle up under a rag quilt, that oddly enough, we made together!

We recognize the blessing of this marriage and are so thankful for it. We praise Him, for all glory goes to HIM! We marvel at how, as the years go on, we only grow more and more in love with each other!

While we are doing everything together, that includes the children. Inevitably, whenever we stop to hug, some little one comes running up to join in!

This time it was Elijah with his 'blankie and paci', snuggling in right in between Mama and Papa. We had to sing "You are my sunshine" and "The wheels on the bus" to him over and over. Precious moments!

Elijah was bouncing his feet as we sang. (Oh, in the background you can see the rag quilt we made together I just mentioned!)

Weekends sometimes mean something fun in the kitchen. This time it was 'sushi', which was really just sticky rice and veggies perfectly julienned by Brian. These were NOT a big hit, but it was fun to try. I don't know if you notice, but there is a tripod flashlight next to the Nori wraps. We don't have under cabinet lighting so we improvised! We call it our 'Polish Under cabinet Lighting'

We also made some Moroccan Quinoa Pilaf that also was NOT a big hit. Boy, two strikes against me! We have been trying really different things than we are used to because of the elimination diet. I am so proud of the children for being so willing to try. I got one genuine gag, a couple of raised eyebrows while chewing slowly, and a 'what's in this?' We chose to end with frozen blueberries and coconut milk. Now that WAS a big hit!


Tomorrow is the Sabbath, our day of Rest. We share God's word, sing hymns, eat together, pray together, cuddle in front of the fireplace and just REST!



See why I LOVE weekends!


What are your weekends like?

We have begun an elimination diet and I am journaling about it over on my health blog, He Makes Me Lie Down, if you are interested.

I Love My Job!

Two things strike me as I start a very busy week that the Lord has orchestrated.

One, we GET to take care of our children when they are sick. And, when we do, it is as if we are taking care of our precious Savior Himself. (Matthew 25:35-36) Don't get me wrong, I hate to see my babies suffer when they are sick, but something 'extra' kicks in with this mama's heart and there is 'visible' purpose for my day. (Of course, there is purpose even in the everyday grind kind of days,

but you know what I mean;-)

Two, as the Lord is apparently moving us into some new directions with our 'diet', as a family, I get excited to learn different and nourishing ways to feed my family. I realize, once again, what a privilege and responsibility it is to provide for their physical needs! I love it! I love how He teaches and leads me. I love being able to use my creativity in the kitchen. I love learning new things. I love that I GET to do this!

Just these two areas alone are huge and such an honor to be able to do each and every day! Not to mention the countless other things we are responsible for and have the honor of doing day in and day out.

Like I said, I LOVE my job!

Some Highlights

Mama was getting some rest after dinner and

once she hits the couch she has company! So blessed!

Our Elijah is a bit 'high maintenance'.

One of his favorite spots is in his older brother's arms . . .

. . .or on their back while doing kitchen chores. He literally 'hangs' out there everyday!


The sweet little thing in my lap is our grandson, Levi. He was opening presents with all his aunts and uncles close by.

The 'everyday' grind really is precious, if only we would take the time to notice.


Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You [affectionately and gratefully praise You]; yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:2

Success!

Our healthier Junk Food Day was a great success! I received tons of compliments from everyone. Not one complaint or even critique of how to do something differently! This is obviously NOT everyday fare, but it was quite fun to be able to make our 'worst' food day a very good for us day!!

Our potato chips, fried in organic beef tallow turned out great. They were too much work to do on a regular basis for this size family. Not that even chips fried in good fat should be eaten on a regular basis;-)

See how nice they look. Crispy and salty!

Everyone was anxiously waiting to dig in. Boy, when you have a big family it looks like a party!

The 'dogs' in the BBQ sauce were very, very good. I was happy with the BBQ sauce, though I think I might tweek it a bit. It is hard when the only sauce you know is sickeningly sweet with HFCS or chemicals. But, if this was all I could ever have, I would be thrilled.

The 'cheese ball' I made for Brian was delish! He loved it.

The homemade Almond Crackers were unbelievable to me! The children LOVED the Summer Sausage and Snack sticks from U.S. Wellness Meats. (just don't tell them they are made from good for you organ meat!)




Elijah enjoyed his first healthy "Junk Food Day" (last year he was too little)

We all enjoyed our delicious home brewed Ginger Kombucha, or 'ptcha' as Elijah affectionately calls it!

We finished the night off with a Christy video, which ALWAYS makes me cry!

It was a dreamy New Year's Day! Family, memories and good food.

For recipes or links pertaining to the recipes in this post please refer to the post called

New Year Celebration.

How Can This Be?

Lying in each other’s arms, in the dark, husband and wife

– remembering – reflecting – realizing

“It was January 2000 that our “perfect” little world began to unravel."
The tears begin to flow.

So much pain, so much sorrow.

Realizing it’s been a full decade of one “sorrow” after another.

More tears

Tighter embrace

So much has happened,

pain so deep it is unutterable,

it has changed us; how we see things.

Things that destroy people; marriages.

Bitterness, anger, despair are often the fruit.

We are stunned when we sense an overwhelming thankfulness bubbling from deep within.

Not anger, grief, pity, but thankfulness?

How can this be?


Only by His marvelous amazing grace!

A full decade of pain = two hearts filled with praise.

We had Him, and each other besides, through it all.

Our hearts and voices blend as one in the darkness.

Softly, praise floats heavenward.

He’s been too good to us - His love towards us is too wonderful!

2010: Ripe With Possibilities!

Today marks the beginning of 2010 – a new year – a fresh start – a clean slate. For certain, each day, even each moment, we have a “fresh start” with God. For me though, I just love the first of the week, the first of the month, the first of the year!

I always start the beginning of the year with a long special time with the Lord (Thank you so much honey), a new journal and a heart full of hope and expectation.

I glance back at the past year and worship Him for all He has done. I am able to declare boldly –

Jehovah Shammah – the Lord is there!

Then I turn my focus to the coming year, ripe and bursting with possibilities! I’m like an excited little child waiting to open a present on Christmas morning. Journal, pen and bible in my lap, I come before His throne to seek His face; His heart for this coming year. I usually have lots of ideas I lay before Him, but mostly my goal is to listen. I want to hear what my Master, my Lord has to say to me.

It’s different every year. Some years I walk away with some grand plan. Sometimes it’s just one word, one scripture that is to be my focus.

The more I grow in the knowledge of my Father’s infinite wisdom, His complete sovereignty, and His perfect love, I can only be excited with what the future holds. I no longer cringe a bit if the thought of suffering or pain in the New Year comes to my mind. For I know that nothing can touch my life that has not come through His hands first, and that ALL things work together for His glory and my good.

I can be excited for the future because I know He is good and loving and merciful!

Spend some time praising and worshiping Him as you reflect on His goodness this past year. Then seek His face, sit in His presence, listen to His voice – Glory in His presence!

To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)
(Revelations 5:13)


For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide [even] until death.
(Psalm 48:14)