Home schooling - the numbers are in.

HOMESCHOOLING -- the stats say it all. 

All four of my children were home schooled to various degrees and all four went to college.  Two have bachelors, while the other two are working on associates.  I so think it would be nice to retire early and school my grandchild but I know that isn't an option.  In a country were two parents sometimes have to work due to circumstances, homeschooling becomes difficult.  Yet the facts are in and show that most home educated children are far ahead of their public schooled peers.

All of my children have a respect for adults, knew the importance of communication and all have good work ethics.  Because they were schooled at home - probably not BUT I do know they are better people than if I would have sent them to our local central school.  They know how to think critically, aren't followers, and my list can go on and on.

As a believer in Christ and what the Bible says, I don't buy into the notion that our children should be educated by the government (in my eyes Egypt) but by their parents and family.

Joyce Meyer - part 2

Something I seem to always struggle with is giving out.  Seems I have no trouble taking in - worship, prayer, fellowship at church, reading my Bible, hearing the Word preached.  But when or even how do I give back.  Joyce made an analogy that it is like breathing.  If we only take in breathe and never breath out what would happen.  I think you can figure that one out.  But doesn't it really apply to everything in our lives.  From giving our time to giving our tithe we need to return to the storehouse (church) were we are being feed. It's not just enough to show up on Sunday morning week after week but not a midweek time for prayer or Saturday to do something for the community. And there in lies my problem.  I work all week and selfishly want my Saturday's to clean the house, do the laundry, sew, knit, blog..... and the list can go on and on.  So what am I to do?  Well for one thing I need to die to self, because all those Saturday "chores" will be there later and so will all the things I want to do for me.

Joyce Meyer part 1

August 9th I had the privilege of going to Hershey Pennsylvania to hear Joyce Meyer speak.  I had never really followed her but two of my best friends from church love listening to her so I went with an expectant heart.  I wasn't disappointed either.

Joyce's husband Dave has a real passion for the history and heritage of America.  I was nice as well as encouraging to be reminded of what is happening here.  How our freedoms are slipping away and we are allowing it by not saying or doing anything.  As with anything satan does, it happens subtly that unless we are watching for it we don't even know it has happened and then we wondered how is it that God can't be mentioned in school if we are talking about the God of Isaac, Abraham and Jacob.
Now longer are children taught what is behind the writing of our Constitution let alone even taught what the Constitution says.  Then we send our teens off to college where they will grasp at anything that sounds good whether it is Godly or Constitutional or even just morally right.  Whether we accept it or not our Constitution is crumbling.  Our Constitution was God given and has been upheld since it's beginning.

Something that Doug and I often debate about is - where was the turning point in American History.
I have always held to what happened in the 30's with the New Deal introduced by Roosevelt.  Yes, it was needed at the time BUT is was never to be continued.  However, how do you take away something the people like when it is no longer necessary. The church stopped it's role of helping and started to let the government because the "church".  Now people could go to the government for the help the church once provided.

What sealed the "deal" was this concept of separation of church and state.  Because the people no longer knew what the law truly said and where this concept came from, they sat back and allowed it to happened.  Even if we knew that there was no basis for this separation, we refused to believe anything bad would come out of it, so we chose to do nothing.

to be continue

Saying good bye to fear

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a Joyce Meyer conference in Hershey Pa.  It had its challenges - mostly in my attitude, but I learned years ago about getting that under submission.  Sometimes I am successful.  Much of what Joyce spoke about were things that I already know BUT have either forgotten or just wanted to ignore.

One of the first verses that spoke to me in my early years of being a believer back in the 70's was God hasn't given me a spirit of fear....... Yes, even then I knew that fear was holding me back from being all that God wanted for me. Over the years I have struggled with various fears and have conquered some but not others.

Dale Carnegie said, “You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.”

My faith and battle against fear was put to the test once more tonight as it was nearing 9 pm and I needed to find a place to stay for the night.  One that was under $50.00 total and safe for Kate, Tyler and myself.  Part of me is saying - just drive through to Louisville, then you won't need to confront any weird people in the lobby.  Part of me was saying stay at the $90.00 because you deserve it  and part of me was starting to worry about finding this place in the dark anyway.   

But then I remembered what I had heard over the weekend.  Pray about it and then let God.  God - you know are needs and where we need to be.  With Kate's directing we made all the right turns and found a Day's Inn that meet our needs.  I secured a room, bought a pizza for $10.00 and feel pleased that I was able to over come me fears.

So here I am, sitting in bed.  Tyler and Kate sound asleep (I love watching Tyler when he sleeps).  The bed is comfortable, it is quiet, the room is clean although dated and I am happy because I serve a great and loving God. 

Full Circle - Table to Freezer to Crock Pot to Table.

I am in love with my computer, freezer and crock pot.
WHY? Because I finally figured it out.
Computer - learning about freezing meals before putting them in the crock pot.
Freezing - putting it all together on a Saturday
CrockPot - always ready for another meal

I was dubious at first because the thought of putting canned black beans, onions, peppers etc in to a ziploc bag and freezing it for later to put in the crock pot just sounded - like a failure to happen.

But we were pleasantly surprise last week when we had a Bean and Sausage Stew --- excellent.

I have the wonderful ladies at pinterest to thank for encouraging me.

six-cents.com
mamaandbabylove.com
redicklife.blogspot.com

BEANS AND SAUSAGE SUPPER
1 lb. sausage
1 large onion chopped
Celery = Chopped
1T. Worcestershire Sauce  (I used Soy)
1.5 t. Dry Mustard
1.4 c. honey
1 can tomatoes with chili peppers
3 cans of mixed beans

cook sausage and onion, drain and cool,
Place in ziploc, add other ingredients and FREEZE.
cook on low 4 hours,
serves 5-6 people

MUSHROOM STEW

1 lb. pork (or beef, or veal ) cut up
onion
green bell pepper
carrots
mushrooms
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1.5 T. cider vinegar
1 t. salt
2 t. worcestershire sauce

Combine all and Freeze
I cooked the pork first with oil and garlic.

MEAT STEW
2 # meat
2 onions chopped
5 carrots sliced
3 Zucchini sliced
2 Celery stalks chopped
2 red peppers chopped
2 tsps. salt
1 ts minced garic
1 14 oz can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce

Combine all and freeze
high 4 hours OR low 8 hours

Healthy Mama BBQ Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 medium unpeeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch pieces, about 2 cups
• 2 large green pepper, cut into strips or cubes, about 2 cups
• 1 large red pepper, cut into strips or cubes, about 1 cup
• 2 zucchini, chopped, about 2 cups
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon quick cooking tapioca (or flour, or some other thickening agent)
• 2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 15oz cans of tomato sauce
• 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoon ground yellow mustard
• 2 clove garlic, finely minced, about 2 tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Divide everything into two separate one gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer
2. On the day of cooking, dump it into your slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending on your specific slow cooker
3. If you want, you can add 1/2 cup of chicken stock to have more sauce, but the liquid from the frozen meat and vegetables melting should give you enough liquid to work with
4. Every slow cooker is different, so just watch yours the first time you make it.

Stephanie

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped onions
• 2.5 cups coarsely chopped green bell peppers, about 2 cups
• 4 large beets, peeled and diced, about 2 cups
• 2 cups of baby carrots or diced carrots
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into one inch cubes, or whole and you can cut it after it is cooked
• 4 6oz cans tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons of Hungarian paprika or regular paprika (I used regular)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups hot cooked noodles, do not add in freezer bag, cook separately, day of cooking
• 1/2 dairy sour cream, do not add in freezer bag, use as garnish, day of cooking

Instructions

1. Divide everything into two separate one gallon freezer bags, shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer
2. EXCEPT the sour cream and noodles, the sour cream is for garnish after the meal is cooked
3. Cook the noodles separately, the day of cooking
4. On the day of cooking, dump it into your slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, or low 6-8 hours, depending on your specific slow cooker
5. If you want, you can add 1/2 cup of chicken stock to have more sauce, but the liquid from the frozen meat and vegetables melting should give you enough liquid to work with
6. Every slow cooker is different, so just watch yours the first time you make it

No-Peeking Peking Chicken 

8 bone in chicken thighs 
salt and pepper 
3/4 cup chopped scallions 
4 cloves garlic 
1/4 cups soy sauce 
3 tbsp. honey 
1 tbsp. ginger 
1/4 tsp sesame oil 
1 bag frozen corn kernels 
1 bag frozen snow pea pods 
1 red pepper chopped 

Chicken and Corn Soup 

1 lb red potatoes 
1 lb sweet potatoes 
4 lbs chicken thighs 
4 cups chicken broth (which I will add the morning of) 
4 scallions 
4 cloves garlic 
salt and pepper 
1 bag half ears of frozen corn 
2 red peppers chopped 

Roast and Vegetables 

2 lb chuck roast, cut into cubes 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/8 teaspoon pepper 
1 large onion cut into 8ths 
1 bag baby carrots 
1/2 teaspoon celery or onion salt 
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 
1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, DO NOT DRAIN 
2 cans condensed tomato soup 
2 beef boullion cubes, softened 
1 can Rotel tomatoes 
1 can whole kernel corn, DRAINED 
6-8 small red potatoes, cubed 

Garlic Chicken 

2 pounds chicken thighs 
2 cloves minced garlic 
4 tablespoons dijon mustard 
2 tablespoons lime juice 
1 medium onion 
2 large green peppers 
1 red pepper 
1 zucchini 

Mix all of the ingredients for each recipe together and divide evenly into two, 1 gallon sized freezer bags per recipe. Seal, and freeze. On the day of, thaw the bag on the counter for about 30 minutes, dump into the crockpot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Jambalaya

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, roughly chopped

1 -- (16-ounce) package smoked sausage or kielbasa, roughly chopped

2 medium yellow onions, diced

1/2 bunch green onions, chopped (white and green parts)

1 -- green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 -- red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 -- garlic cloves, minced

1 -- (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon Toney Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning

1 1/2 cups long-grain rice

-- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

1. To prepare for the freezer: Place chicken and sausage in a large freezer bag. Place remaining ingredients, except rice and parsley, in another large bag. Place rice and a copy of this recipe in a small plastic bag. Label bags and tape together. Place in freezer.
2. To cook: Remove bags from freezer and let thaw about 30 minutes. Empty the 2 large bags into a 6-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW 8 hours. Add rice during the last hour of cooking. Spoon into bowls and top with fresh parsley, if using. Makes 5 quarts.

Read more: http://relish.com/recipes/chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya-2/#ixzz2VfN0S0kh

Coconut Curry Chicken

2 tablespoons red curry paste

4 -- garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup water

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken

2 medium onions, roughly chopped

2 -- red bell peppers, roughly chopped

1 -- (16-ounce) package baby carrots

3 -- lime leaves

1 -- (14-ounce) can coconut milk

-- Chopped fresh cilantro and chopped cashew (optional)

6 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

1. To prepare for the freezer: Combine curry paste, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and water in a large bowl; stir until combined. Add chicken, onions, bell peppers and carrots; toss to coat with curry mixture. Divide between two large freezer bags. Label bags and tape together, attaching a copy of this recipe. Place in freezer. Put a sticky note on coconut milk and rice.
2. To cook: Remove bags from freezer and let thaw about 30 minutes. Empty bags into a 6-quart slow cooker; cover and cook on LOW 8 hours. Add coconut milk 30 minutes before serving.
3. Cook rice according to package directions. Spoon rice into bowls and top with soup. Sprinkle cilantro and cashews on top, if using. Makes 3 quarts.

How we shall then remember...

Even the Bible tells us not to forget those who went before us.  

This Memorial Day we remember particularly those who gave their lives for our freedoms. 

In grade school, this was one of the many poems we read. 

I still remember it to this day. You may notice a difference between the two - 

for one says grow and the other blow. 

To fully appreciate who John McCrae was and

 the original meaning behind this poem check out 

John McCrae

'Flanders Fields' On Memorial Day 

For My Uncle Dude (1923-1942)

Published in this weeks Huffington Post, a tribute to those men and women

(esp. Uncle Dude) and the significance of the red poppy  

John McCrae was a poet and physician from Guelph, Ontario
wrote it as grow yet at some point it was changed. 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

These word were penned on May 3, 1915 
while still at the battle front in Ypres, Belgium 

simply put -- Happy Mother's Day

Mothers --- who would we be without them.
So today - this post is for all my mom's out there. Be they mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother.
Our mom's are the ones who shaped our lives, they after all were our first teachers.

My mom would be 93 this mothers day.

Mrs. James (Lucinda Klock) Roberts

Mrs. John (Georgianna Alger) Roberts
Georgia - 2nd from right

Mrs. Frank (Jane Jennie Owen Williams) Roberts

Jennie Williams Roberts                                                              Nettie Heirholzer Heinrich

 

       Mrs. Raymond (Eleanor Roberts) Heinrich

Mrs. Robert (Kathryn Benson) Bond

Mrs. Douglas ( Christine Heinrich) Benson

 But these pictures of the mom's in my life isn't what I really want to say. 

I want to introduce you to two remarkable mom's.

This mom, a strong believer in Jesus Christ, was lead to tell a lie, the first lie she had ever told in her life in a final attempt to save her unborn child. The child she and her husband had tried desparately for years to conceive. She went into labor at 21 weeks but when she got to the hospital, she told them she was 24 weeks pregnant – why, because at less than 24 weeks the drs would not attempt to save the baby if in fact it was born alive. So at 22 weeks, she gave birth to a precious 10 ounce girl. That baby survived and is a healthy child today because of a mother's love for her unborn baby.   

The tiniest survivor That unwavering faith has fueled the Homestead, Fla., couple through an intense eight months  - reports People Magazine. Says dad, Eddie, "I put my faith in God," said Amillia's father, Eddie Taylor. I didn't worry a lot. I just made sure to get here to be at her side                        

And there is another mom we should take a lesson from - Mrs. Zebedee - as my pastor called her this morning.  (taken from Hope Christian Fellowship's Mother's Day message)

We first learn about her two sons - James and John - sons of Zebedee - they were fisherman, probably learned all they needed to know about fishing from their father Mr. Zebedee in Matthew 4:21 - Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 

And that's all we hear until their mother comes forward, Mrs. Zebedee.  And she asks something for her sons. 

                                      

20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Mrs. Zebedee did five things

1. Approach - She came with her sons

2. Attitude - She knelt and asked

3. Appeal - She knew what she wanted to ask

4. Awareness - She knew what she was asking.

5. Acceptance - She accepted what Jesus said

Mr. Z taught his sons to fish, to make a living, to provide.
Mrs. Z taught here sons about Jesus.  

So.....what do we learn from Mrs. Zebedee.

1. We learn that it is important to have out children with us when we approach the Lord. Many   times Jesus say -"Come" This is what she did. 

2. She shows respect to Jesus by kneeling before him  - she also taught her children this because she had them with her.

3. And then Jesus says - What do you want (What do you REALLY want)  Jesus already knew what she was asking for BUT he wanted to hear her say it. And Mrs. Z was honest in her request.
4. She knew, She knew who this Jesus was. She knew what she wanted for her sons. Did she know what  would be required of her boys if she were to attain this request for them.  When Jesus said You don't know what you are saying - she quieted.  And Jesus turned to James and John for the answer.  Because of the teaching she gave her sons,  they readily had the answer.... Yes.
5.  They knew it was God's will for their life and mom didn't argue.  She accepted what Jesus said as truth.


And that is all we hear about James, John and their parents - or is it.
Did Mrs. Zebedee have a first name? Do we learn anything more about her.

Read further in Matthew 27:55
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,^f and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
It isn't until we read in Mark 15: 40  
Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,^d and Salome. 41In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
                           

You see, Salome, the mother of James and John, had an encounter with Jesus.  It changed her life and she was never the same.  She followed as many women in Galilee had done ministering to Jesus and caring for his needs.  And her sons ? James was the first to be martyred of the disciples and John....after attempting to kill him many times.... was finally exiled to Patmos (but that's another story)

Have you had that encounter with Jesus?  

Once you have you too will never be the same,  You too will be changed. 

And lastly  A nice photo essay of moms through the ages.