Friday, July 30, 2010

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of eachother.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help those who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who dont.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didnt feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasnt' looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but its all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of lifes lessons that I needed to know to be a good and productive person when I grew up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and to say, Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thankfulness

I have been doing lots of reseaching and studying on all different things these past few weeks but I have also been doing some researching of my own heart and soul. True thankfulness is not saying "thank yout" at the right moment or when something is given to you. True thankfulness is the type of gratitude that remains even when we are surrounded by misfortune and gratefulness seems almost comically out of place. As Christians we are called to be thankful IN all things, not FOR all things. Thankfulness is more of a process than a choice. Gratefulness for me is turning my worry into wonder and my anxiety into awe. I find myself having an ungrateful heart when finances are tight and I can't have everything I would like. However I am reminded that God has always provided for our needs and that is something to be eternally grateful about. I have seen miracles in relationships take place and that is something to be grateful about. If I sit down and make a list of everything I have to be grateful for I am sure my page would be overflowing. It is when I do not dwell on these blessings that I lose sight of true thankfulness. I plan on starting a Gratitude Journal so that I can be reminded daily of all the blessings I have to be thankful for. A scripture I would like to share with you comes from Psalm 145:13b-21 and it reads, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all those who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever." I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." These scriptures have really spoken to my heart during this time in our lives. Though the road right now is not easy, I know God holds my hand and I am so thankful for everything He has blessed us with. I am not only thankful for the blessings but I am thankful for this current circumstances because it allows me to empathize with others, gives me a greater apprecaition for the little things and reminds me of just how dependant on Him I am. Thank you Lord!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Teaching The Kids Obedience/Discipling Us To Be Consistent!

For those of you who follow my blog or read it on any regular basis you will find this new entry's subject matter to be quite new. I have discovered that "Holistic" living is more than just eating... it involves emotional healthiness, boundary setting, healthy communication, parenting.. and the list goes on and on. For me to live holistically means having a delicate balance of all of these elements. Healthy eating in the midst of screaming at your children is not truly holistic living. Recently as my oldest has become more able to understand spiritual concepts, I have been trying to find ways to get his heart attitude right and now just his actions. I was reading alot and just had some thoughts I could share with you that I found helpful and maybe you could also. And please if you have any feedback.. I welcome it as we all can learn from eachother. The more I read the more I realized the the number one thing I need my children to learn is obedience. If a child can learn obedience then you as the parent have an advantage. And along with teaching obedience I have realized my own need for consistency. The degree of sucess I achieve will be directly related to how consistent I am. Consistency really means that every time your child requires correction, you get up and do it, remaining there to supervise and outlast until the message gets across. Resolve to make consistency your top priority! Stop running unnessary errands, over indulding in hobbies, making excessive social phone calls - set your mind diligently and consistently on training your children. Parenting will be far less a frustration to you, if you learn how to do it well, and if its not competing with everything else for your time and attention. You cannot enjoy the pleasures of a close, loving relationship with godly, well-behaved children, if you are not willing to make parenting them your top priority! Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Consistency is key to sucessfull parenting!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Waffle Recipes that are Delicious!

Whole Grain Waffles: 2 eggs, 1 3/4 c. of milk, 1/4 c oil, 1/4 c. of unsweetened applesauce, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 c. whole wheat flour, 1/2 c. of flaxseed meal, 1/4 c. of wheat germ, 1/4 c. of all purpose flour, 4 tsp of baking powder, 1 Tbls of sucanat (or some natural sugar) and 1/4 tsp of salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, applesauce and vanilla. Beat in the ww flour, flaxseed, wheat germ, all purpose flour, baking powder, sugar and salt until batter is smooth. Cook in waffle iron per the instructions.

Pumpkin-Pecan Whole Grain Waffles: 1/2 c. butter, melted, 1 c. of pumpkin puree, 4 eggs, 1 1/2 c. of milk, 2 c. whole wheat flour, 1/2 c. wheat germ, 2 Tbls of baking powder, 2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 c. of chopped pecans. Beat eggs and milk. Add pumpkin and butter. Add flour, wheat germ and baking powder. Mix. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Mix well. Add chopped pecans. Bake in waffle iron according to instructions.

Drizzle with real maple syrup and serve with some turkey sausage links and you have yourself a delightful breakfast!