Following 31

Gluten-free Chocolate Brownies with Coconut and Hazelnuts

2023-05-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

If you've ever wanted to make a moist, chocolaty gluten-free brownie that is not made with rice flour, this one might be for you.

Many good brownie recipes use butter for the fat. I swapped out butter and used coconut oil instead. I also added shredded coconut and hazelnuts to give the brownies texture. Just to use up some homemade rhubarb sauce that I had in the fridge (sweetened with honey), I added it to the batter. The result was fiber along with honey and a special sort of sweetness.

The recipe for regular, gluten filled brownies that I make for my family (other than me) uses lots of sugar. I decided to opt out of the normal refined sugar and used coconut sugar instead. You could swap out for white sugar or even brown sugar if you wanted to. I would shy away from using much liquid sweetener as that might make the brownies too soft.

For the fruit, applesauce would be good, as well as raspberries or strawberries. If not using a sauce or jam, cook the fruit a bit to give it some juiciness.

To top it all off, I salted the top of the cooked brownies while still very hot with coarse sea salt. Delicious!

Gluten-free Chocolate Brownies

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (plus more for greasing the pan)
2 eggs
1 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup oat flour
Scant 1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 TBSP cacao nibs (optional)
1 TBSP shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/2 - 3/4 cup fruit sauce or jam
Handful of blanched hazelnuts (or other nut)
Course Salt

Cream sugar and coconut oil. Add eggs and beat well. Then add oat flour, cocoa powder, vanilla, and baking powder and stir well. Stir in coconut, nuts, and cacao nibs if using. Add fruit sauce or jam last and stir until well blended.

Spread the batter in a 9 inch square pan that has been greased with coconut oil. Bake in a 350 degree oven (Fahrenheit) for roughly 30 minutes. Begin checking with a toothpick for doneness at 25 minutes. Immediately after taking brownies from the oven, lightly salt the top with coarse salt.

Saturday Scripture Speaks - Fishers of Men

2023-05-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” Luke 5:10 (NKJV)

Fishing was a big part of the Israelite culture back in the days when Jesus walked the earth. Fish made up much of the diet and the economy. Peter and Andrew made their livings by fishing. Jesus fed the 5000 near the Sea of Galilee by multiplying two fish (and five loaves of bread) from a little boy's offering (Matthew 14:13-21). He also fed the 4000 in the region of the Gerasenes when he multiplied 7 loaves and a "few small fish" (Mark 8:1-9).

Let's suffice it to say that fishing is an important enough theme for Jesus to use when giving Simon (Peter) and Andrew to follow Him (Matthew 4:19).

In today's very weird society (some would argue that it is a demonic society, myself included), being fishers of men is very important. After all, it is essentially the Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) says,

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commanded the disciples to go out into the world, even the world that was gentile, and teach them about Him. He said to baptize them and teach them to obey God.

Don't we want that for the unsaved? Don't we think that, in this increasingly evil world we find ourselves, things might be better if more people realized that Jesus is God and came to earth to die for our sins? And that He not only lived a sinless life but died on a brutal cross and then rose from the dead on the third day? After all, His death would be in vain if He were either a sinner or one who just stayed in the grave.

Most people who go fishing use some sort of lure to attract fish. After that, they reel that fish in. That works in discipling (teaching) people. They see our good works, they see our genuine faith, they see kindness to those who persecute us for our faith, they really see Jesus in us. That lures them to the faith.

After that initial "bite", they listen to us relate the Bible and who Jesus really is to them. They go to church and listen to sermons about the Bible and about Jesus. And through that, the Holy Spirit speaks to them. The hook is set.

They respond, maybe after really fighting it, by saying yes to Christ and no to sin. In other words, they repent of sin and become born again believers. Then, they get baptized and lead a new life in Christ. Baptism doesn't wash away their sins - the blood that Jesus shed while on the cross does. The new believer becomes eager to learn more and to "fellowship" with other Christian believers. And that's where we need to come in.

Are you spending time with new believers? Are you teaching them to obey the Scriptures? To see them to salvation and then leave them on their own is to disobey that Great Commission. It's like catching a big fish and then taking them off the hook and throwing them back into the lake or river.

I challenge you to pray about who you might disciple today. Ask God for someone you can bless as a fisher of men and watch Him work. Don't worry. The Holy Spirit will bug you until you obey and become a mentor for the person(s) He has chosen for you to disciple. Your job is to listen and obey and then reap the blessing that comes with a life of obedience.

My Menu Plan for April 24-April 30, 2023 and Some Garden Plans

2023-04-24T17:06:00.000-04:00

This week I plant to roast veggies like sweet potatoes (which I almost always buy at Aldi because they are good but also at a good price), white potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and onions. With olive oil or avocado oil drizzled on them and some salt and pepper sprinkled on, they can't be beat.

Another great use for sweet potatoes is in making pancakes. I make mine gluten free with oat flour, but you can put them in regular pancakes as well. My pancakes don't usually look beautiful as my husband's does, but they do taste terrific.

I am a firm believer in planning. This year I started a garden plan using GrowVeg's planner. I can already see that it is going to be a real game changer for me. I have planned out my large in ground garden as well as the small raised bed herb garden out front. And then there is the plan for the greenhouse because, you know, I have to grow most of my tomatoes undercover if I intend to have any ripen before frost.

What I especially love about this planning software, however, is that I can keep a diary of everything I am doing pertaining to growing food and flowers. And, actually, the flowers are more often than not food too. The importance of maintaining a diary, or journal as the site calls it, is to have something to look back on in future gardening seasons that will tell me if a particular plant or variety did not do so well and possibly why. I have always wanted to be so organized, but life gets in the way and the 24 hours a day we get doesn't stretch out as long as it did when I was a kid.

Last year, I dehydrated more foods than I usually do. They have been great and I plan to increase that substantially. If the electricity goes out, no worries about food because I have a backup plan. Also, I will continue to can as much of my produce (and the chicken we raise) that I am able to. And, of course, freezing is still something we widely do.

I have made up a menu plan for this week, which is something I had let go of for a while. I need to get back on track so that was a priority for me. God willing, I will continue to do this again. And if you read this blog with any regularity, please know that another plan of mine is to start up the Saturday Scripture Speaks posts again. Many people had asked about it and told me that they enjoyed reading my thoughts on Bible passages. I don't claim to know anything about anything, but one thing I do know is that I love the Lord and He loves me. My life is committed to the spreading of the good news that Jesus is alive and that He saves.

Here is my menu plan for this week:

Monday

Beef Noodle Casserole in the slow cooker

Tuesday

Roasted Veggies with Left Overs

Wednesday

Lasagna, Green Beans, Salads

Thursday

Tacos

Friday

Pizza

Saturday

Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower

Sunday

On Your Own

The Best Time to be a Proverbs 31 Woman

2022-07-06T16:47:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 31 contains the sayings of King Lemuel as told to his sons. Verse 1 says that the king's mother taught them to him. Verses 1-9 contain the advice to the sons while verses 10-31 are the epilogue, also known as "The Wife of Noble Character". Verse 10 of Proverbs 31 asks who can find a wife of noble character.

In today's society, no matter where you live, is that an easy task? I have three sons who are yet unmarried and I have to tell you that I pray a lot for them and for their future wives, if that is even an option anymore. That said, I know that there are a lot of Proverbs 31 women in the United States, but I feel that the numbers are dwindling. Still, there is hope.

So, with that in mind, I suggest that today is an excellent time to either become a wife of noble character or persevere in that Proverbs 31 woman role knowing that our time here on earth is short. We can be a light to the world by becoming a living example of what a righteous woman looks like.

A woman of noble character is one whom her husband (or family if not married) is proud. Her husband has full confidence in her. The Bible says that she brings him good all the days of her life. That's quite a statement. I think that's also hard to do, especially as we see the signs of Christ's return nearing. Things are getting ugly out there and sometimes it's easier to lash out at others, often our husbands, when we're down and out. However, we must remember to speak kindly about our men in front of others. We want to bring them good, not harm.

The Proverbs 31 woman also works with her hands to create clothing for her family. She sells things at the market to help bring an income to the family. She is not idle and she feeds her family well with what she has. In return, her children rise up and call her blessed, as does her husband.

This woman also helps the needy outside of her own household. Rather than sit around with friends gossiping about others, she is working hard to help those who need it most, be it with food, shelter, or clothing. I bet she talks about Jesus to them because that is WHO they need most.

So, why do I think this is the best time to be a Proverbs 31 woman? Simply put, there are needs that must be met and people whose hearts God has made tender are ready to receive the help she can provide. Families are being torn apart but they don't have to be. You can be the glue that binds your own family and you can be a light and an example to other women who need to do the same.

Grocery costs these days have gone out of sight. Do you have a garden? Are you being wise (don't let the oil in your lamp go out by being idle) and putting up all that you can grow? A whole lot of people are warning of a coming food shortage or famine. If you do have a garden, let me urge you to can, freeze, or dehydrate all that you can for your own family's needs. If you truly think you have too much (think more than six month's supply or beyond - I aim for a year's worth), consider sharing with neighbors or extended family.

In years past, I have dry canned some stuff. This year I am dry canning probably three or four times what I usually do. Like everyone else, I love rice and beans. I pressure can most of my dry beans so that they are readily available when needed. The rice, however, I dry can so bugs or moisture don't get into the plastic bags the rice comes in. I also dry can dehydrated herbs that I grow so they will stay fresher. I also dehydrate peppers and then dry can them as well.

Right now is still a good time to stock up on essentials. I'm not talking about hoarding but rather getting a supply of necessities and food items stocked for your family's use over the next several months up to a year's worth. Christians don't seem to stress the need to stockpile like they did back in the day. I think that's pretty sad. The Mormon church has been instructing their church members to stock up a year in advance for ages. It's a prudent thing to do. Why shouldn't we be doing the same?

Look for sales in the stores. Stock up on what you need now, a little at a time if need be. When I go to the store, I often buy two instead of one of something I need and can't make or provide for myself. For you, this could be toiletries, over the counter medicines or supplements, household products like dish soap or laundry soap, or many food items (like rice) that you can't grow yourself.

As for clothing, I don't expect we can all make our own. However, with inflation as high as it is you could look for used clothing at the thrift shops or garage sales. With garage sales, however, I find that many people think that they can get top dollar for their used stuff. Be careful. There are discount stores out there like B2 in Michigan that sell great new clothing at slashed prices.

As times get more difficult, those who are unprepared will come knocking on the doors of those who have done their due diligence. Will we help them? I guess it depends on whether we have the extra to spare. Your own family should come first.

I have thought a lot about the imminent coming of the rapture of the church to Heaven. If I have preserved too much food or stocked up on goods that I really didn't need, then perhaps someone who is "left behind" will come up on our home and will use what I have stockpiled. Maybe they will go into my bedroom and find my prayer journals and Bibles (I have a few different translations). Maybe they will read them before it will be illegal to do so and maybe a light will click on in their spirits. Maybe they will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thus be saved.

Being a Proverbs 31 woman is not always an easy thing to do, but it is something in which to aspire. I hope you will begin preparing or continue toward preparing for what could very well be a difficult and trying time.

Please be hopeful and fend off feelings of despair. God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of joy in knowing that, as things get darker and darker, the Light is coming soon.

Out and Among the Living

2022-03-15T16:48:00.002-04:00

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Can you remember the days when we used to get together with family and friends, comforting each other during the hard times and edifying (building up) one another? Can you remember the days when people weren't afraid to get close to you because you had germs that might pass onto them? Can you remember the days of hugs and kisses and those visits to loved ones in nursing homes or the hospital?

In our country and around the world, things are heating up and that heat is not a warm, comforting feeling. Two years ago, we were all shocked to hear that a lab grown virus had been let loose and people were dying as a result. Then, the inevitable happened. People were told that they must stay away from other people. Businesses were forced to close and churches were told that they had to close their doors.

Let me say that again - CHURCHES WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS!

So when is it ever okay to tell the Church that she must shut down and forbid the gathering together of which the Bible speaks? The verse referenced above says to comfort one another and edify one another. That meant, and means, gathering together. In another verse, we are told to not forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (KJV Hebrews 10:25)

God actually wants us to get together. It's good for us. It's good for others. Here's why:

When we gather together, we encourage one another - edifying

When we gather together, we are stronger - "A cord of three strands is not easily broken" (CSB Ecclesiastes 4:12)

When we gather together, we are healthier in Spirit and sometimes in physical health - we are comforting one another and that makes us stronger and healthier in our faith. Part of the reason that so many people died in nursing homes during the last two years is because they had lost hope. It's not enough to have someone wave to you from behind a window pane, or on a video chat, or any other form of "interaction". We crave physical comfort in the form of a hug, a kiss, a snuggle. It's the way God made us. When God made Adam and Eve, He didn't tell Adam that he could wave to Eve from six feet or more whenever he felt that he needed company. Instead, God said that "it is not good for the man to be alone". (NIV Genesis 2:18) He told Adam that Eve was God's gift to him and that together, they should have children and multiply. Hmmmm. You need physical contact for that.

I could go on and one, but I think you get the picture.

Life needs to go on and we need to get out and among the living. If we don't, who is going to be found faithful, going about the Master's business until He returns? (See Luke 19)

The Master's business is to preach the Gospel (the Great Commission) unto the ends of the earth. That's going to require that we tell as many people as we can about Jesus, about HIs saving grace. People need to get saved. People need to know that there's hope (and it's not in this dying world). People need to know about - gasp - the Book of Revelation. The day is approaching (we don't know when but we sure can discern the signs of the soon return of Christ, birth pangs if you will).

Are you ready? Are your loved ones ready? Are those that the Holy Spirit has put upon your heart ready?

Let me encourage you to live in freedom. The apostle Paul said, "To live is Christ and to die is gain." (NIV Philippians 1:21) We need to stop living in fear of losing this life and really live in Christ. It means risk, but we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying that people should go out and spread disease if they are sick. Also, they might need to isolate for a time because of serious conditions. What I AM saying is that we need to dispel fear. For fear is a form of enslavement. And how is that any way to live?

Menu Planning - January 31, 2022

2022-01-31T18:44:00.000-05:00

Please Excuse the yucky looking ring around my burner in the picture above. Looks worse in the picture; believe me.

This morning I made a homemade soup/stew and it was wonderful for lunch. The rest of the gang will have it tonight for supper. When making soups and stews, I rarely follow a recipe. The best soups seem to be made when you throw in whatever you have and whatever you like. If you want an approximate recipe for the one above, here it is:

Vegetable Stew

1 quart of canned tomatoes, undrained

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 pint canned black beans, undrained

2 large potatoes, diced

1 handful dehydrated mushrooms (I use morels), crushed

2 or 3 dehydrated peppers (I use a sweet pepper), crushed

1 or 2 large pinches dried basil, crushed

1 pinch dried oregano, crushed

Several asparagus shoots, cut in bite sized pieces

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 or 2 TBSP good oil

2 large leaves fresh kale, chopped

Freshly ground peppercorns to taste

A pint of water or vegetable broth if to thick

Saute the onion, carrots, garlic, and celery in the oil until softened and aromatic. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Then lower heat to gently simmer until the veggies are tender.

Here is my plan for the week:

Monday

Breaded Fish Strips (from Schwan's)

Vegetable Stew (above)

Tuesday

Skillet Lasagna

Green Beans

Tossed Salad

Wednesday

Baked Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Deviled Eggs

Thursday

Left-overs

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Meatloaf

Baked Potatoes

Cubed Red Kuri Squash

Sunday

On Your own

Garden Planning with Frances Hodgson Burnett

2022-01-27T16:05:00.000-05:00

This year, I intend to shake things up in my garden just a little bit. I guess I have been inspired by a book I have been reading - Unearthing The Secret Garden. Marta McDowell has done a marvelous job of giving the reader a glimpse into the life of Mrs. Burnett, especially of her love of nature's beauty and abundance that in turn inspired the massive success of The Secret Garden (available in about any form you like, even a movie of the same name starring Margaret O'Brien).

Here are only some of the trees and plants that Mrs. Burnett enjoyed and that may have inspired her books:

Violets
Scarlet Pimpernel
Indian Corn
Dahlias
Chestnut Trees
American Linden
Maple Trees
Delphiniums
Crocuses
Oak Trees
Petunias
Roses
Snowdrops
Crotons
Poppies
Snapdragons
Primrose
English Bluebells
Tulips
Hyacinths
Daffodils
Clematis
Jasmine
Larkspur
Anemones
Marigolds
Lilac
Lilies of all sorts
Sunflowers

I have watched lots of gardening videos online featuring the best in the practice from Wales to the southern United States. These people have been working outside to prepare for spring and it's an appealing process right now. But, since winter, with its accompanying snow and cold, is in full force here in the north, I am in planning mode. That's all well and good for me because it gives me the opportunity to take time to rest and to dream, and plan, for a different or better garden.

Here's where Frances Hodgson Burnett and The Secret Garden come in. My plan is to incorporate more beauty and possibly more herbal health into my garden.

As far as size goes, I don't plan to increase anything in that area. However, I do intend to make the most of the space that I do have. After all, I do not have the luxury of being able to pay a gardener to help me.

I have four small beds in the back of the house, mostly under pine trees with pheasant pens providing additional shade, that the previous owner had planted. In one of the beds, is a large amount of Yarrow which is quickly taking over the entire area. I will keep some of the Yarrow (it's a great ground cover as well as useful in homeopathic medicine for blood clotting). I would like to pop in some California Poppies (useful for a relaxing tea and other purposes), a bit of Calendula (use in tea, balms, etc.), and maybe a mint like Bea Balm along with some Sage.

The other beds are filled with lovely flowers such as Roses, various Lilies, herbs, and even Asparagus and Chives. I just need to do some weeding to clean up the beds.

Out front, I have Echinacea, Roses, wild violets, and other flowers that I still have not identified. Again, a heavy weeding and cleaning will do wonders there. I think I will put in a few Nasturtiums to add a pop of color and variety - and it's a blessing that the sun shines nicely in that area.

As for the actual vegetable garden area, I already have Lavender, Bee Balm, Lemon Balm, Chives, Bergamot, and Sage. Last year I put in some Thyme, but it would take a great miracle for any Thyme to reseed and come up given the cold winters. This year I intend to pop in some Basil and Calendula, along with some Marigolds here and there.

Shall we talk about Sunflowers? The flowers below are a type of sunflower; they grow low to the ground, however. What variety are they? I don't know. They were there in the beds in front of the house when we moved here and I will be sure to keep them. They bloom every year and are a beautiful perennial.

I will put tall sunflowers someplace where they won't shade my sun loving veggies and/or flowers.

Hopefully, I will have a freshened up garden space(s) that I will enjoy. When planning your own beautiful garden, try to pick plants that you enjoy, be they edible or not. I chose to include mostly plants and flowers that are culinary and/or medicinal. You might just want lovely plants that bring you joy.

That's the largest blessing from gardening - the joy that you inevitably get from it. Wishing you the best season yet!

Menu Plan Monday - January 24, 2022

2022-01-24T18:28:00.000-05:00

So, it's been forever since I posted a Menu Plan Monday. Today, I just felt like doing so. It seems that I have been feeling a little down in the dumps, maybe just tired of all of the arguing, the high prices, increase in crime, lines being drawn in the sand ... you know what I mean. Since cooking and writing are both passions of mine, or at least they used to be, I am counting on them once again for creativity and a little more joy. And in case you've ever wondered, you can feel depressed and still have joy. Joy is not the same as happiness and it is not dependent upon your circumstances, but rather on your express choice to praise God for who He is.

That's where I am at tonight as I type in this menu plan. I know it is a basic plan, but I have jury duty this week and with my job, it's enough to keep me pretty busy.

Monday

Beef Stew

90 minute Dinner Rolls

Cole Slaw

Tuesday

Potato Soup

Salads

Blueberry Pie

Wednesday

Chicken Tacos (using my home canned chicken breast)

Thursday

Left-overs

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Sloppy Joes

Green Beans

Salads

Sunday

On Your Own

Preparedness

2021-06-30T15:11:00.000-04:00

Coreopsis Lanceolata

Enjoying the beauty of nature is important to mental health. It's also tied to physical health because it often reduces stress in people, and we all know how critical dealing well with stress is.

The photo above of the lance-leaf tickseed above (from the garden bed by my house) really has nothing to do with the subject of preparedness, but it is pretty and, therefore, I want to include it in this post.

This year, as in the past thirty some years, I have grown food in order to "prepare" for the coming winters. In the case of those of us in the north, there's also spring and fall in which to rely upon harvest. We can never be too prepared, can we?

Every year, I stock up on essentials just in case we get a blizzard and end up stuck in the house for days on end. I also grow as much of my own food (herbs, some berries, and vegetables - I have to buy most fruit). I love trekking to the woods and finding wild blackberries and mushrooms. I have just this year discovered wood sorrel and other delectable salad fixings. Putting food away in the forms of canned, dehydrated, and frozen goods has been therapeutic - and necessary for our family.

I have watched some great online videos and read books and articles concerning the importance of making "prepping" more of a priority than ever before. For the most part, I would have to agree. I don't know if you have noticed, but grocery products have soared in price over the last few months. So have gas prices - both automobile gasoline and heating gas (lp and natural gas). Then there are lumber prices. That's the one everyone talks about these days. And have you thought about purchasing a home? Forget it unless you want to make an offer above and beyond the listed price of whatever property you can actually find available.

No matter what the cause of the rising prices (I have my own theories, but do not wish to elaborate), times are getting tougher for most of us and they are probably going to get a whole lot tougher in the coming days ahead.

The question remains, though. Can we be too prepared? Is there such a thing?

In my own opinion, I would have to say that we can surely overdo it. The reason I think that way is because I know that, as a Christian, I must rely upon God. He said in the Gospel of Matthew that He cares for the lillies and the birds - how much more does He care for us? He has promised to take care of our needs (not our wants - don't confuse them).

I do believe that part of that providing comes through opportunities to grow and harvest, and then preserve the harvest. I do believe that the Lord expects us to be prepared. Proverbs 6:6-8 says, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest." (KJV)

Proverbs 31 says in verses 10-31:

"A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

So, God does expect us to make the best use of our resources and be ready. Yet, we can become so focused on our efforts to provide for ourselves that we forget the One who is the real provider. We can do nothing good apart from Him.

And that leads in to which we really need to prepare. Yes, we need to prepare for difficult "moments" in time. But there is certainly something far more important that should grab our attentions and help us to become even more "prepared".

ETERNITY

I believe, by drawing heavily upon what the Bible says about the future, this world is moving rapidly toward that which Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation speak about. And not just those two Biblical books. Daniel speaks of the great tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 says, "Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (NIV)

Obviously, we are to be ready for the Lord Jesus Christ's return. It could happen today, next month, next year, whenever. We don't know the "day nor the hour". But we can discern the times. Things are unsteady in the middle east. Things are unsteady in the United States. Things are unsteady in the Church - yes, the (collective) Church has been moving away from the Church in Philadelphia and becoming more and more the Church in Laodicea. I don't know about you, but I really do NOT want the Lord to spit me out of HIs mouth.

So, my conclusion concerning preparedness is that to prepare for the physical needs of our families is good. It affects mental and physical health. It's what we should do as Proverbs 31 women. But to prepare for the coming "taking away" (or rapture) of Christ's Church is even more important. This affects our spiritual state - which Jesus said is more important than the body (Matthew 10:28).

* I know that not everyone agrees concerning a pre-tribulation rapture. Some believe it will happen mid-tribulation or even post-tribulation. I don't think that's the crux of the matter. Christ is coming for HIs bride. We are told to be watching and be ready. I look up every morning and wonder, is this day? Personally speaking, I can't wait.

Menu Plan Monday - June 7, 2021

2021-06-07T17:12:00.001-04:00

I have taken a break from blogging for a short while, mostly due to busyness, but also due to just feeling as if nothing matters in this world, least of all homemaking. However, while I am still busy, I also believe that having a voice about conservative things - and homemaking as well - matters. The United States of America, as well as the rest of the world, is in a bit of *Ahem* disarray. Everyone is looking for something or someone to solve their problems. But the fact of the matter is, there is nobody or no thing that will do the job other than Jesus Christ. Today I can continue blogging and talking about what matters to me - faith. We still have that freedom and I refuse to take it for granted.

I also believe that planning is important, but I don't hold too tightly to it. I plan with the knowledge that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I plan while keeping in mind that "God willing" I will be able to complete a task or a trip or whatever. And menu planning is at the top of my list. It helps me stay organized and I never have to waste time wondering what's for supper. I only have to look at the list on my refrigerator.

My garden is hopping right along and that means fresh vegetables for the table and maybe a full freezer and pantry for the winter months later on.

Wishing you a blessed week and, God willing, I will post more often.

Monday

BBQ (smoke flavored) ribs in crock-pot

Baked potatoes in microwave

Green beans

Tuesday

Sicilian Supper

Garden salads

Birthday cake & ice-cream

Wednesday

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

Thursday

Left-overs

Friday

Pizza & pop

Saturday

Eating out with a gift from friends

Sunday

On your own

Menu Plan Monday - January 25, 2021

2021-01-25T13:41:00.000-05:00

Our warm winter is coming to an end and the cold has begun in earnest. I guess that we people in the northern part of the country should expect that, but of course it throws us into a tizzy when it happens. December and January is not normally nearly as warm as it has been (sometimes days with temperatures well above freezing) so I will be grateful for what I had.

On Friday, I went to the barn to feed my two ewes when I took a peek into my daughter's goat stall. Standing there was a tiny buckling, dried off but shivering. We left him with his mother until Saturday morning, but noticed then that he was very cold and could not nurse. After some research, we determined that he was hypothermic and simply could not latch on enough to nurse. At that point, we had to bring him in the house and get him warm really quick. We did give him supplements along with colostrum from the mother goat. Well, long story short - when this happens you just have to keep the baby inside in the warmth until the cold snap ends or he's big enough to withstand the temperatures.

So...we are keeping this little guy in the house and bringing him outside every two to three hours (with a doggie jacket on) to nurse from his mother. Then, we take a screaming baby from his screaming mother and bring him back inside, where he basks in the warmth on the hearth rug in front of the wood burner. No kidding. Lots of fun. By the way, this is a nigerian dwarf goat and he's really tiny. Right now he's 5 lbs. and gaining weight slowly. Lots of energy and pretty spunky when he's not sleeping.

For this week's menu plan, I decided to do some warming soups. Thursday has become our left-over night, but often I find we don't have left-overs. We do have grown boys that eat a lot 😃. On those days, I just search through the freezer and pantry and try to come up with something easy. Sometimes it's a package of hot dogs (which I loathe but they can come in handy) or a can of whatever. I do prefer to have a plan, though. Here's mine:

Monday

Cheeseburger Soup

Tuesday

Vegetable (with cabbage) Soup

Parmesan Chicken Strips with Salads

Baked Potatoes

Wednesday

One Pot Ham and Veggie Pasta

Thursday

Left-overs and Whatever Else

Friday

Pizza

Saturday

Brats

Warm Potato Salad with Capers

Baked Beans

Sunday

On Your Own

Menu Plan Monday - January 18, 2021

2021-01-18T18:00:00.000-05:00

Many years later, and I'm still getting most of my recipes from my collection of cookbooks - real ones that I can hold and sift through. I took most of my menu plan this week from the three books below: The Ohio State Grange Cook Book, Conservation Officers Cooking T.I.P.S., and my mother's handwritten Favorite Recipes. In March of this year, my mom will have been in Heaven for five years. I still miss her dearly and making some of these dishes gives me comfort. After the plan I will share a recipe from that little book.

Monday

Pineapple Glazed Pork Loin Chops

Cornbread

Mixed Veggies

Tuesday

Turkey and Gravy

Baked Potatoes

Stir Fried Zucchini Slices (from freezer)

Wednesday

Goulash

Creole Beans (recipe below)

Thursday

Left-Overs

Friday

Pizza

Saturday

Tacos

Chips & Salsa

Sunday

On Your Own

Creole Beans

2 1/2 cups of green beans

1 TBSP chopped onions

2 TBSP olive oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 cup chili sauce

Cook onions on medium low in oil until soft. Add beans and salt. Cook until heated through, stirring often. Then add chili sauce and heat well.

Menu Plan Monday - January 4, 2021

2021-01-04T18:16:00.004-05:00

So, what to create for dinners (or as we Hoosiers always say, suppers) this first week in the year 2021. If I'm honest, I will admit that my heart isn't really in the menu plan this time, but that's the way it goes. When you are a planner and someone who likes to have everything structured, you continue to go ahead with the plans regardless of how you feel. Yesterday, I looked through my pantry and freezers before throwing together a plan.

That's the best way to prepare a weekly menu, you know. The late planning is not ideal, but deciding what you want for meals by using ingredients that you already have on hand is. Being wise in all aspects of our lives is important and spending extra money at the grocery store to prepare whatever sounds good at the time is not the best thing. I want to save money, not spend it all needlessly.

Then, there's the whole thing about how I wanted a large garden and tons of canned (frozen and dried too) goods available in the winter. Now it's winter and I need to be using those foods to feed the family nourishing food. One vegetable that I grew a lot of this last summer is squash. I ran out of good storage places for squash, so I decided to put them under our bed. I read that this is a good idea. I'm happy to say it has been a fantastic place, as the squash are still in great shape and we have been enjoying them since harvest in September.

Happy New Year and may you be blessed in your own planning endeavors.

Monday

Chili

Muffins

Tuesday

Chicken and Rice

Brussels Sprouts

Wednesday

Sausage Stuffed Squash

Baked Potatoes

Salads

Thursday

Enchiladas

Salads

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

BBQ Ribs

Potatoes

Peas

Sunday

On Your Own

Menu Plan Monday - December 28, 2020

2020-12-28T17:46:00.004-05:00

Happy Menu Plan Monday - the last in 2020.

If you're anything like me, I think you will agree that 2020 has been less than desirable and an end to it sounds grand. While our calendar changes to another year, however, please keep in mind that God's perfect timing does not include parameters such as the Gregorian calendar. That's sort of for us because we have such finite minds ....

I have slipped on posting my menu plans and hope to rectify that by being more consistent. I have, however, been very good at planning and posting my menu on our refrigerator for the family to see - and stop asking what's for supper.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes to the new year ahead. I don't think that things are going to look any different than they do now and probably won't be any better, but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate the freedoms that we do still have. And we can still feast with whatever we have available.

Monday

Pork Roast

Baked Potatoes

Green Beans

Homemade White Bread

Tuesday

Spaghetti

Broccoli

Garden Salads

Wednesday

Beef Stew (minus barley)

Thursday

Cheesy Chicken and Noodle Casserole

Peas

Friday - New Year's Day

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Burgers and Brats (Hopefully grilled - depends on weather)

Potato Salad

Chips & Dip

Sunday

On Your Own

Making the Home a Little Better - One Day at a Time

2020-11-23T18:51:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, we live in northern Michigan on a small plot of land where the sun seldom shines - quite literally. Our house sits in a "valley" with a large hill covered in trees (the hill used to be part of the first ski club in the state) to the East and a tremendous amount of trees to the West. By the time the sun gets over the ski hill, the clock has turned to noon. My garden is on a small hill on the east side of the property and it gets as much sun as it can get anywhere close. The sunniest place is in our yard (facing south) and that is where I chose to put my greenhouse last spring. That turned out to be a good choice.

I have struggled over the years we have lived in the northern woodlands to make the most of what I have been given. I do not like snow and what do I get? An average of 136 inches a year, give or take. The cold season lingers and I swear that we only get winter and summer, with winter taking the larger portion of the year. I count myself fortunate in those years that summer lasts more than two months.

This year I had the greenhouse and what a blessing that was! I was able to start plants in the house in April, then move them to the greenhouse early May. It was still cold outside (in the 50 degree Fahrenheit range) with snow still lingering over the garden bed. Take the gloom and doom of everyone shouting COVID, and it was not a very fun time.

But here is the blessing. I was laid off work since libraries were not considered to be "essential" in Michigan. I had time on my hands to do that which really matters to me. I was able to start numerous plants and work to keep them warm in the greenhouse with the occasional aid of an electric heater. I was able to place those young plants outside in the garden toward the end of May, when they should be planted.

I was able to bless others. I had so many tomato plants that grew suckers that I clipped them, placed them in water, and waited for sprouting to occur. And it did. I gave away close to twenty tomato plants that were all started from suckers. I was told later that those plants were strong, healthy, and provided their owners with a whole lot of beautiful tomatoes.

My husband and I raise wild species of waterfowl and pheasants on our farm. We also raise sheep and goats along with chickens. How blessed we were to be able to spend more time with those animals, creating better and healthier environments for them. My husband was able to raise quite a few baby ducks and pheasants, as well as some quail, that we took to swap meets around Michigan and Indiana. We did a fairly good business and hope for an even better next summer.

Mandarin Duck

So, how did we make our home a little better this year? I think that maybe the best thing we did was to work on our home business and the farm. I had such a huge success with the tomatoes in my new greenhouse that I canned a lot of them. We now have a good stock of salsa, tomatoes, and sauce on hand for the winter. I found lots of beans (black beans, navy beans, and pinto beans) at great prices at the bulk food store in Shipshewana, Indiana while on a trip to the swap meet with our birds. Guess what is canned and ready for meals this winter? You guessed it - beans! And not only that. I have canned salsa verde (tomatillo overload in the garden this year), many varieties of jam, vegetable broth, sauerkraut, sweet pickles and also dills, and even elderberry syrup (my dad's recipe).

The freezer is full too.

I had meant to do a lot of spring cleaning in the house, but that never happened. Now, my plan is to fall clean, which may turn into winter clean. I have already got a good start on the living room.

I'm back to work and our library remains open. Nothing looks the same and sometimes I panic. I wonder why Jesus hasn't come back yet. The news never reports anything good anymore.

One thing I can do is my job as a wife and a mother. I can do my job as a Christian, being sure that I am faithful to spread the Good News of Salvation.

The Bible says that God does not operate on our time scale. He knows when the moment is right and that is when Jesus will come and take us home - in the twinkling of an eye. Until then, it is my job to make my home - my piece of the world - a little better, one day at a time.

Canning Alternatives for Frazzled Lid Hunter

2020-09-15T16:44:00.002-04:00

There has been a shortage of canning lids for purchase this year. Have you noticed? If you didn't stock up earlier and you are an avid home canner, then you likely have done more than noticed the shortage.

First of all, there are reasons for the shortage. The shut-downs in production due to COVID-19 restrictions is the biggest reason. When you must close your factories, how do you produce the product?

Secondly, now that production is back in place, it's difficult to stock up the stores that have back-ordered the lids.

Thirdly, people are buying up stock as quick as they hit the shelves, seemingly creating more shortages.

The truth is, there is a shortage but not a shortage of canning lids available. Personally, I have noticed an uptick in the cost of the lids locally. Perhaps that isn't the case for you. Ball has them for sale on their website. If you buy in bulk, the price isn't too bad. I don't know how long you have to wait for delivery, though. The canning season is nearly over too.

There are ways to preserve the harvest without canning. Here are some of my favorites:

Good old freezing works well and I haven't noticed shortages in freezer bags. If you have a vacuum machine and bags, you will find that your food lasts longer in the deep freeze. I usually don't use too many freezer boxes because they take up more space, but I do use repurposed spaghetti sauce jars to store some things in the freezer (dehydrated herbs and veggies that might not have all of the moisture out of them - more on dehydration following). If you plan to use glass jars in the freezer, it's best to put them on door racks to avoid breakage.
If you don't have freezer space, you can dehydrate vegetables and herbs easily. I have a Cabela's brand dehydrator that I use constantly during the summer and early fall. I dry herbs of all kinds as well as many fruits and veggies. Some of my faves are zucchini chips, cucumber chips, strawberry slices, apple slices (dip in lemon juice first to avoid browning), and cilantro. To keep your food healthy and full of vitamins, try not to put the heat setting over 110 degrees F. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can always use your oven at the very lowest setting. Check on it often! Place your dehydrated foods in jars or plastic containers with lids. If moisture gets in, your food will begin to rehydrate and then mold, so be sure they are sealed well or placed in the freezer. The advantage of dehydrated foods is mostly that they use up far less storage space than other preserved items.
Root cellars and cold storage works for root crops. I don't have a good place to store squash, potatoes, carrots, and other good candidates, so I use other methods of preserving them.
One way that I like to preserve food, especially when I don't have a ton to put up, is by fermentation. Fermentation uses salt as a preservation tool, as well as the fermentation itself. In a nutshell, fermenting food means that you are allowing the natural enzymes to partially break down the food, making it more digestible. To learn more about fermenting, go to this post by Plantables.

I hope you will find ways to preserve your hard work without solely relying upon canning lids. I have been using all of the above methods (other than cold storage for root crops) and have been very pleased with the end results.

My Thoughts in Troubled Times

2020-06-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

I love living in the country where things seem to be a bit more peaceful than they are in the cities of this country. Out here, we can roam the grounds without worrying about wearing masks. It's not that COVID-19 can't someday reach us, but we can breathe. Albeit, that breathing may include smelling animals that city folks might find offensive.

Here in the country, we were quarantined like everyone else. In fact, we were quarantined a LOT, because we live in Michigan, the land of excessive rules and quarantines. Every single time another "extension" came down from the governor, it felt as if the sky were falling. People were losing hope, and that can never be a good thing.

You see, we need people. In a place where it's okay to tell people that the powers-that-be are only doing this "for the health and well-being" of the masses, it's very hard to believe that a healthy person being forced to keep away from other people is for their own good. Especially when the health and well-being of people seems to include allowing abortions to continue all throughout the quarantine.

And that makes me sad and angry at the same time.

Who was there to fight for the unborn? Who cared about their lives? And how can we believe lawmakers who say they care about human life while they continue to snuff out the lives of the most vulnerable?

We must continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Today, fighting for rights is popular. People are fighting for equal rights and some are fighting for special rights above and beyond equal rights. Others are fighting to abolish anyone who doesn't look like them.

This, too, makes me angry and sad at the same time.

I want to say, "Shame on you" to those who have made me look at people a new way, bringing on fear rather than respect.

I have thought little about race in my lifetime because I don't believe that God made races. He made two people, Adam and Eve, from which all the rest of mankind came. What color were Adam and Eve? I don't care. All I ever believed was that God made us all brothers and sisters with varying skin colors. All of them are just gorgeous to Him who made us. When he looks at us, he doesn't see black, white, red, yellow, brown, whatever. He sees us as we are inside; He sees our spirits.

So, when I hear that "_______ lives matter" (fill in the blank with whatever you wish), I still believe that all lives matter to God the Creator. He loves us enough to have sent His Son to die for ALL of mankind, not just one color or "race". The problem is, we don't get that forgiveness of sin and promise of eternal life unless we receive it as His good and perfect gift. We have to really want that gift and repent of the past.

A final thought on recent matters is my thoughts on the police. My son is a county deputy. This hits me deeply and causes me to lose sleep. We have close friends in police departments. We have family other than my son working for the police. NONE of them would hurt anyone if they could help it at all. They don't deserve the hatred.

A land without order is no land at all. Remember that when the chaos gets out of control. And also remember that you can always lift your eyes to heaven and repent of the past, gaining a future brighter than your wildest dreams.

Why I Love Sheep

2020-04-27T16:44:00.000-04:00

My daughter has four goats and a rabbit. I have two sheep. My husband has numerous ducks, pheasants, and quail. I won't even begin trying to explain why I think that sheep are better than all of those birds, but I would like to share with you my reasons for loving, and wanting, sheep rather than goats.

Sheep and goats are both mentioned often in the Bible. The goats tend to get a bad rap and maybe that's because they are so mischievous. The goats in our household can take flying leaps and get out of their stall in the barn - and that stall has fencing and a gate that is five feet tall! Now, I'm not talking about standard sized goats but rather little ones, La Mancha and Nigerian Dwarf goats. Both of these are very small and look like babies all of the time. Dottie especially jumps very high. She gets out of the pen and then jumps up on whatever she can to reach the shelving in the barn on which she struts her stuff and makes fun of the other goats who aren't quite as agile as she is.

Like sheep, goats in the Bible are mentioned often as being used for food. They chew the cud and have split hooves, so they are a clean animal (kosher). We have not eaten goat and I have no idea what it tastes like. I can assure you that my daughter will never eat them. She doesn't eat rabbit either.

Sheep can be super loving. I know my girls are. When I try to pet the goats, they wiggle until they can escape and get into mayhem. The sheep, on the other hand, stand still and allow me to pet away. If I stop, one of them will either nibble gently on my hand or even head butt me to get my attention. They appear to crave a loving touch.

Matthew 25:31 says that when Jesus judges the nations, He will separate the goats from the sheep. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Jesus Himself is seated at the right hand of God. There are MANY verses attesting to that. You can find references to them on this page. In Biblical days, sitting at the right hand of someone very important and influential was the best thing ever. The sheep (believers in Jesus) get that honor.

Believers are called sheep many times in the Bible. Ever wonder why? I think it's because sheep are vulnerable and, most times, very trusting. They go with the shepherd but sometimes they wander off and can't seem to find their way back home. In that respect, I think they are oblivious to the dangers of the world.

The Bible says that Jesus (the ultimate shepherd) will leave 99 sheep in order to go find and bring back the one who is lost. (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4) Sheep are vulnerable to wolves and other predators. Up here in the north, we have wolves, coyotes, and bears. There have also been cougar sightings. My sheep could find themselves in danger if I don't provide adequate protection for them.

Which leaves me to feel a bit overwhelmed all of a sudden. What if I lay down on the job and just once, one little time, I let my guard down and one of those predators takes one of the sheep?

Yikes! I am so very thankful that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, never lets down His guard. He will never lead us down the wrong path and neither will he allow Satan to devour us. When we, like sheep, put our faith and trust in Him, He does His part and keeps us safe (our souls).

I don't know about you, but that's comforting to me.

Let Us Not be Idle

2020-03-24T17:17:00.000-04:00

The majority of us are in a "lockdown" state, meaning that we are supposed to stay home and away from others who are not in our own households. Right now, things might seem bleak and it can be difficult to look on the sunny side.

But believe me, there is a bright side. For me, the ability to stay home for a few weeks is something I have actually been craving. Do I want that at the expense of people being very ill? NO! I wish I could stay home just because we had enough money to make do without me working an outside job. Freelance writing has never brought in enough money to allow that. The years that I stayed home while homeschooling our children were very lean - too lean.

These days, I don't homeschool anymore as our youngest child graduated last May. We have started a home business (actually a farm) and we are living the homestead life while still working day jobs.

For the next three weeks, I am off work from the library. Hmmm, how to make the best use of my time? Will I become bored?

The other day, I made homemade three bean soup with the canned goods I put up last fall. Black beans, navy beans, and cranberry (pinto) beans with celery, canned tomatoes, carrots, a quart of vegetable broth (also home canned), artichokes (ok, from the store - can't grow those up north too well), dehydrated kale crumbled in, black pepper, onion, and a bay leaf. That's all.

Yesterday, I baked a keto blueberry bread (cake) with almond flour for my husband following the diet. I also baked a gluten-free rye type bread (using caraway seeds, not rye flour) for me. Wowsa! That gluten-free bread is just like the expensive stuff I was buying for $5.99 a loaf at the store! I did not use the olives it called for, and I did not have superfine rice flour; just used the regular. I also subbed out oat flour for the sorghum flour.

I made a large batch of sweet potato pancakes on Sunday to have on hand for quick breakfasts.

Today, I made a vegan, gluten free batch of brownies for myself. Nobody else will touch them (because they have a vegan fear). I love the brownies because they are full of fiber, something we all need and probably don't get enough of.

Also today, I planted a 72 cell tray of plant starts - tomatoes, tomatillos, celery, watermelon, a golden melon, bee balm (lemon), and some Pampas and purple fountain grasses for Jeff's bird pens. In the coming weeks, I will begin other plant starts. If all goes to plan and we actually get a warm spring, I will be ready to get some things straight into the garden.

Keeping busy while confined to your own property can be challenging if you aren't used to it. But the alternative is anxiety and a breakdown of mental and spiritual health. It's important to stay positive even in times such as these.

If you have a prayer request, feel free to leave me a comment. I have found that praying for others is one of the biggest stress relievers for me. Remember that God is ultimately in control. Nothing surprises Him and nothing can overcome Him.

Wishing you health and happiness - and productivity 🙋

Kindness - and Prayer

2020-03-06T11:35:00.001-05:00

Kindness seems to be a trend these days. Facebook has different kindness groups on the roster, one of them in my county. I joined the group to see what they have to say and what they are doing. Encouraging people to be kind at a time when our political climate is something other than that is a great thing.

However, I think there is always the danger of sharing your random acts of kindness on a social media page and then slapping yourself on the back for it.

So, how can we encourage people to spread kindness without it becoming a self-serving, egotistical project?

I'm not sure, but I think praying would help. In fact, I think prayer is crucial to any endeavor we decide to undertake, whether it be random acts of kindness or anything else.

Because being kind doesn't get one to heaven. That's right. Only by God's saving work on the Cross can one reach an eternal life with Him. Jesus gave His all when He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and laden with every sin that had been or ever would be committed. And we receive that grace by admitting that we are sinners and that we cannot save ourselves. We must believe in Jesus Christ and that He died in our place and then rose from the dead to live forever. And we must confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness - then turn away from sin.

It's called REPENTANCE. And it's what gets us to heaven.

I want to share with you something I began doing in December when something happened in our immediate family that caused me such great concern that I could not sleep. Anxiety had me in its grip.

I decided I needed something to take my mind off of myself and my problems. When I perused Facebook, I realized that so many people need Jesus, whether they know it or not. So I committed myself to praying for two Facebook friends each day until I had exhausted my friends list. To date, I still have two full pages of friends for which to pray.

When I pray for these friends, I let them know right away that I am praying for them throughout the day. I can't tell you what a difference it is making in some peoples' lives. I have received specific prayer requests for some. Others have messaged me to tell me that on their day they were going through difficult times and that prayer made the difference for them. Others have replied that they had been waiting for their special day. And the list goes on.

As I reach the end of this commitment in the next month or two, can I encourage you to take up where I have left off? I would really love to see this praying thing continue and spread through Facebook. People need prayer. To date, NOBODY, even those who are the furthest from Christianity (and admit that) have refused to let me pray for them. I think that, deep inside, people have a deep rooted need for the spiritual, specifically for the living God.

If you will commit to printing off your friends list and praying for your Facebook (or any other social media) friends, please share in the comment section on this post. In this world, at this time in history, prayer is more critical than ever.

Book Review and Giveaway: Parable of the Brown Girl by Khristi Lauren Adams

2020-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color is a brand spanking new book by Khristi Lauren Adams. This is not a fictional book based upon a parable. Rather, it is a book that looks at real life girls whose personal stories teach us a lesson. The author, Khristi Lauren Adams is a chaplain and teacher who knows the subject well because she herself is a "brown girl".

February is Black History Month, a month that celebrates black women. I like that Adams uses the word brown to describe black skin color. After all, aren't we all some shade of brown - from the lightest person in the world to the darkest?

I have enjoyed reading Parable of the Brown Girl. Through the girls' stories, I felt the same thought hit me over and over. Women are the same inside. We all want to be loved. We all want to be accepted. We all want to know that we aren't the only ones dealing with "stuff" in our lives.

Adams does a great job of letting the reader know that listening to each other is key. God is using the brown girls of this world to make a difference. Let's listen to their voices and help them to know that they are a vital part of God's great story.

GIVEAWAY: I have a copy of Parable of the Brown Girl to give away to a Following31 reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and be sure to include your email address so I can let you know if you win. I will randomly choose a winner on February 29.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the book with clever videos on YouTube. #parableofthebrowngirl

Garbage In - Garbage Out

2020-01-27T18:20:00.001-05:00

Remember that old saying, "Garbage in, garbage out"? Essentially, it means that what you put into your body is what, eventually, comes out. The saying also applies to the mind. What you watch or read (or listen to) eventually manifests itself somehow. For a select few, it has resulted in people addicted to violent gaming committing violent real-life crimes.

These days, as I try to eat cleaner for my body, I am also trying my best to keep the garbage out of the rest of me. In the past, this really wasn't too hard to do. I have lived in a bubble where my social life consisted of church and homeschool group activities - and I am no way sorry for that!

But we own a television and we are hooked up to the internet. I work a job where I am around other people on a daily basis. Yes, I work in a library, but that doesn't mean I don't hear things that I shouldn't. There are a few ladies in our book discussion group who are very liberal in more ways than one and they are extremely loud about it. Yikes.

I can control what I see and hear while I am at home. I can choose to watch on our internet enabled television only that which is good and clean. I can choose to read only the books and other materials that are clean and wholesome. What I cannot often control is what I hear while at work or the grocery store - or anywhere else where the public is involved.

And that's what I struggle with. I cringe when someone swears. I don't enjoy crude jokes. I especially get angry when my Savior is cursed.

I think that the key to receiving garbage that you never wanted anyway and then not allowing it come out of you and harm someone else is to pray every day about it and to surround yourself with that which uplifts Christ as much as you can, like reading your Bible daily. Knowing Scripture by heart is a powerful weapon against the enemy.

Jesus was around vile people while He walked this earth. He did not allow them to corrupt Him. He will not allow the vile people in my life to corrupt me - or you - either.

Following 31 as a Baby Boomer

2020-01-08T16:06:00.000-05:00

I will admit it - I am a baby boomer, just having gotten in there at the tail end. I'm getting older and all of my five children have reached age 18 or older. In many ways, getting older is not a whole lot of fun. To be fair, there are some perks. Senior discounts anyone?

What has been popping up on my radar these days has to do with baby boomers and their children, specifically finances. Consumer's Reports has published an interesting article concerning the "gifts" many parents have given their grown children. The majority of these gifts are in the form of cash. The magazine calls this an epidemic.

I know that oftentimes seniors are split between wanting to help their children and wanting them to "just grow up". This is a touchy subject for the many boomers who find themselves in the situation of giving to adult kids who keep holding out their hands for more.

My question is, would you consider it loving to continue to give and give until you have nothing left to give - then find yourself in the position of being penniless and, maybe, find yourself with no resources to sustain you in your retirement? From all that I've read, that seems to be where many boomers are heading or have actually gone in the United States today. And that's sad because, from all people tell me, Social Security isn't all that secure, or lucrative.

Forbes Magazine has also published an article on this "epidemic". The author states that giving to adult kids who fully able to work and earn their own incomes is "unhealthy". She states, "The unhealthy result of too much leads to dependency and to your own possible financial destruction in your later years."

I am a sucker for the elderly. Put me in a room full of small children and I immediately feel my anxiety rise. I love children, I really do. But I seem to be more at ease with the elderly. Perhaps it's because I know I'm reaching that place sooner than later. Maybe I just love to hear their stories (the very old can tell you things about which you could never imagine!) Whatever the reason, they have a special place in my heart. And my heart breaks for those who have given to their children out of love just to find that their life savings is now depleted.

Don't even get me started on the tragedy that has befallen so many American veterans who gave and gave, and now find themselves homeless and alone.

My question is, who will step in and take care of these old people who gave so much? Will it be the grown kids who "borrowed" from Mom and Dad? Will it be the Americans who owe their very lives to those homeless vets?

And what if it happens to me?

As my husband and I make plans for our future retirement years, we talk about this. Our kids are no different than anyone else's. They are not perfect. We are taking steps to provide a home business that will supplement Social Security. We are also taking steps to make sure that our children don't fall into the trap of dependency upon aging parents. And if that means that our kids fall on their faces, it will also mean that they have learned something.

The Proverbs 31 Woman is someone who I think works with her husband to ensure that the children are mature and able to survive this harsh world by relying upon God and not on aging parents.

"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:26 (NIV)

I don't think it's ever too early to teach financial responsibility and the value of hard work to our children. Along with that, maybe we need to remind those children of the fifth Commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (KJV)

Resources to Guide You in your Writing Career

2020-01-03T12:48:00.003-05:00

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

Many times we find we have a natural aptitude to something and we really want to make a real go of it. For those of us who love the written word, that desire to put words to the page and, many times, see it published and get things moving can be overwhelming. With that desire to write and publish, we would be crazy to not hope to see some sort of an income come out of it.

The first step to any career is research. There are a good number of write for hire opportunities out there, but the competition is fierce. Fiercer yet is the competition for freelancers. We often find publications that want to publish our work, but that competition will not pay us anything other than putting our words into print - and on top of that, they want to keep all rights to our words.

For me, the desire to write is only overcome by the desire to read. Those two desires go hand in hand. In order to be a good writer, one must read like crazy, and not just in the genre in which he or she writes. Expanding knowledge in creative writing happens when we read lots of words that we, perhaps, have never before seen. These days, it's still important to have a vast vocabulary on which to draw when writing.

I prefer reading and writing historical fiction. Do you know that the English language in 1692 varies greatly from the English language of today? Yeah, you do. I subscribe to word of the day by Word Genius. I can't tell you how many new words I have learned, as well as the origins and history of the words. It's a great way to expand your writing vocabulary. Other places would be to, well, peruse a good thesaurus. Did you know that the word "peruse" does not mean to casually glance down a row of something as we were previously taught to believe? Here's the real meaning: "to examine or consider with attention and in detail : study." (merriam-webster.com)

Keep learning the craft. Writing a novel or a good short story is more than simply sitting down at a computer and tapping out 100,000 words or more. Some of my favorite learning tools are:

Writer's Digest - a fantastic magazine that has been helping writers learn and keep abreast of current writing events and contests

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway

The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray and Bret Norris

NaNoWriMo - Writing a complete draft in 30 days in the month of November

First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner

I have also joined a local writing group as well as the American Christian Fiction Writers group. Both have come to be invaluable sources of encouragement as well as learning experiences.

Book Review: Love Changes Everything by Micah Berteau

2019-09-29T11:05:00.001-04:00

This past month, I read a book about love - God's love. I know there are a lot of books out there on this same subject, so I was not initially thrilled about reading yet another one. After all, this topic seems to have been overdone in Christian circles. My specific wariness was due to the increasing feel good, lukewarm church ideology that we must just love everyone to pieces and ignore sin. So, when I was asked if I would review Micah Berteau's book about love changing everything, my suspicions were up.

I am glad to report to you that this book is not just about God's love and acceptance but nothing of the need for repentance. I found that many times Pastor Berteau points the reader toward a faith that includes repentance without being legalistic or giving the impression that one can buy his or her way into heaven.

There is a world of fake out there and I think that everyone can agree that it's difficult to know who to believe and what to believe, even when news comes from what we first think is from a reliable source. I appreciate that Berteau points his readers to the only One who IS truth, who speaks only the truth, who really embodies what truth is all about. After all, Jesus Christ is God, right? And God is truth.

I read Love Changes Everything cover to cover. I didn't find anything that I feel is not Scriptural. And that is what keeps me reading a religious book about love. I can wholeheartedly say that I can recommend this book to others.

*I received a copy of Love Changes Everything in exchange for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.*