tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29617537805830285612024-11-01T06:40:50.161-04:00Pastor's wife and mother of 5 chronicling the blessings each day holds. Topics cover Christianity, frugality, soapmaking, sewing, knitting, crochet, marriage, children, and ministry.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-17775313535484142572008-12-22T18:43:00.003-05:002008-12-22T18:54:54.063-05:00

We made two of our Christmas favorites today: snickerdoodles and molasses cookies. Here they are cooling on the paper, in all their crinkly, sprinkly glory!These recipes come from a church cookbook of one of our previous ministries. If you ever have the chance to purchase church cookbooks, do! They are always full of time-tested, frugal, and delicious recipes. We've had visiting missionaries

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-45394248685286847332008-12-22T10:24:00.006-05:002008-12-22T10:58:19.455-05:00

Hello! This is my first Menu Plan Monday. Thanks for stopping by!We're a family 7, striving to eat nutritionally, frugally, and at home! We're also a very busy ministry family plus I am a college student and work part time. Drive thrus have a certain appeal...Today for Family Favorites Edition, I'm going to share one of our favorite Christmas traditions - Jesus' Birthday Cake. I'll also share our

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-63233068490028798222008-12-21T10:07:00.003-05:002008-12-21T10:33:45.014-05:00

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name." Luke 1:46-49

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-23028374697868235812008-12-18T10:41:00.005-05:002008-12-18T10:59:52.553-05:00

I have a special, childhood memory attached to a specific cookie cutter. I believe we only made these cookies a few times in my childhood. They were very labor intensive, but oh my I loved them. The little raisin eyes, the sparkly sugar, the coconut "fur"...By the time I was out on my own my mom's cookie cutter was cracked and fragile. She had given up on making Santa cookies. I searched. I tried

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-65200745204894285162008-12-18T10:37:00.002-05:002008-12-18T10:41:48.771-05:00

The past few days I've felt the itch to get back on here. It may be the season. Christmas brings out all these things in me that don't seem to surface during the rest of the year. With that in mind, I've tried to ignore this urge, shrugging it off. But here I am. I finally gave in.So I make no promises how often or how long I'll post. I know myself too well. But if you happen to stumble by this

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-63605490574779244392008-03-09T10:26:00.002-04:002008-03-09T10:31:49.600-04:00

He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you,

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-27483866555006072072008-02-24T07:14:00.002-05:002008-02-24T07:20:26.542-05:00

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-33091715884801167462008-02-22T08:08:00.002-05:002008-02-22T08:19:23.217-05:00

We're back home from our wonderful week of retreat. Today's a snow day...again! I have loads of laundry and housework and church work to do. But I wish I could curl up in a corner and think big thoughts.I want to process the retreat, think about what I've taken away and what that means in my life.I desperately need to pray and evaluate the tears and broken heart of my littlest boy, who once again

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-13426194182509567312008-02-21T08:00:00.002-05:002008-12-12T19:44:15.727-05:00

Brian and I have been, at the Pastors & Wives retreat this week in Sugarcreek, OH. It's been a great time and God has given me much to take home with me and ponder.Tomorrow is our last day here. So in honor of this mini-vacation in Ohio's Amish Country, I will share this Thursday 13.Holmes County, Ohio, has the world's largest population of Amish, not Lancaster, PA. Amish and many Mennonites

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-88423570845373346522008-02-19T21:46:00.003-05:002008-12-12T19:44:15.942-05:00

EDITED: I wrote this post last night and have decided to include it on Works for Me Wednesday....rather than my black beans and rice burrito recipe...Yes, the following is what works for me this Wednesday - realizing that changing our world is done one person at a time, one act of love at a time. For other great WFMW tips see Shannon's Rocks in My Dryer.I've been following the Compassion

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-78657033593583874102008-02-19T10:47:00.004-05:002008-12-12T19:44:16.239-05:00

I'm headed out the door to one of my favorite events, our district's Pastor's Wives Retreat, held at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek, OH.I wrote about it a bit here.I can't wait!The Inn has wireless, so I may post a bit. If I don't, you'll know why.

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-59990781172983274502008-02-18T08:43:00.005-05:002008-02-18T09:35:27.028-05:00

Last night was our annual Agape Dinner. Our church family always has a lot of fun at this event.We do an Agape Dinner in place of the traditional Valentine's Banquet, including the whole church family. It's a time celebrating God's love, especially the evidence of that love in the past year.Everyone brings a pot of soup to share. Together we enjoy testimonies, music, games, and entertainment.

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-38615407504806617712008-02-17T07:51:00.000-05:002008-02-17T07:51:33.284-05:00

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-86224491025734165932008-02-16T08:24:00.013-05:002008-12-12T19:44:16.431-05:00

Today I pay for my frivolous fun. I will pull out my pastor's wife super hero cape...which in my mind looks like the 1969 LGB Little Red Riding Hood...I will lace up my tennis shoes and fly like the wind.Saturdays are crunch day in a ministry family. If the week was busy, if everything didn't get done, it has to be done today. Sometimes we've been up till early morning hours preparing for worship

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-60438780936187912008-02-15T19:09:00.004-05:002008-02-15T22:58:22.269-05:00

Just a little over 24 hours ago, I did something very unusual. I followed a whim.I traded places with my husband, went with my son to Malone College, spent the night in a hotel watching Lost, and hung out with college kids today.It was an alternate universe!I did all the driving in a metro area. Don't laugh! Canton is metro compared to Southern Ohio.I was alone in a hotel and stayed up late...and

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-16932829698557537742008-02-14T10:18:00.004-05:002008-12-12T19:44:16.687-05:00

He...is a glass half-full kind of guydrops anything to please mehas a beautiful singing voiceis a great preacherrarely says an unkind, critcal or negative wordlets the two littles sit on his shoulder and comb his hairalways has a smilehe is an overcomerkeeps me supplied with diet cokeactually wants to go shopping with mehas a beardwears a cool leather coatchooses me as his favorite

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-18161318269203436422008-02-13T08:02:00.006-05:002008-12-12T19:44:17.197-05:00

Yesterday, during our snow day, the two littles and I made valentine crayons. I found the idea over at Family Fun.To do this frugal and fun project you need:two blonde willing helpers, hair color optionalheart shaped muffin tins or silicon baking cups, we used the silicon baking cups from Wilson which cost just under $9 and made this project no longer frugal!! But hey, the $9 was worth it for the

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-45390446236639864822008-02-12T10:17:00.000-05:002008-12-12T19:44:17.500-05:00

Ah, the warm cozy feeling of a snow day. I love it! The kids are all home. The two littles are out frolicking in the back yard. And I'm contemplating what this day might hold.Valentine crafts with Jodan and Else Annah.A crockpot of taco meat.Felted slippers.An Inspector Morse episode.In the spirit of full disclosure, I was up past midnight in hopes of a snow day. My husband and older boys were

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-14704291575804555092008-02-11T08:56:00.000-05:002008-02-11T09:12:05.929-05:00

Christy at After a Cup of Coffee...Or Two is hosting The Big Bloggy Move and today is the day!You'll find a list of brand new blogs, brand new designs, and brand new homes. Christy was inspired to host The Big Bloggy Move because she moved her blog...today...to it's own domain. Congratulations Christy!Little ol' me fits under the category of "new blog". So I want to welcome you to I Can Fly!I

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-2278407446423433482008-02-10T08:49:00.001-05:002008-02-17T07:52:34.186-05:00

"Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him..." Psalm 32:2

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-57914409778180542952008-02-09T10:44:00.000-05:002008-02-09T10:44:50.575-05:00

In addition to being consumed by Lost, we've been watching The Vicar of Dibley, a British comedy starring Dawn French. The show is hilarious, but is also riddled with profanity and sexual innuendo.I hate that, because the comedic writing is genius! This show has some of the funniest characters I have ever seen. And Britain must agree because the show ran for three full seasons and then multiple

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-69075011613524563052008-02-08T08:53:00.000-05:002008-12-12T19:44:17.730-05:00

Today is pizza-day at our little Christian school. $1 per slice. My children squeek by with 2 pieces each = $4. For $5 I could get them a whole Little Ceaser's pizza. I hope the school is making some kind of profit on this. It's the only way I can make peace with it.Joseph is home sick today. I'm not sure what ails him other than sinuses. My ASD child clearly is not in touch with his body. He

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-91365589370019732962008-02-06T08:59:00.000-05:002008-12-12T19:44:17.965-05:00

My favorite online store of late is Land of Nod. They carry great toys, books, decorating and storage items.I admit I haven't purchased anything from them, but they're my choice for window shopping! And I get great ideas for my children's rooms.I hope you enjoy Land of Nod too!Check out Works for Me Wednesday - Online Shopping Edition for more great e-stores!

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-41136542684126574402008-02-04T12:37:00.000-05:002008-12-12T19:44:18.093-05:00

It's official! Josiah is cast as....The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.How can you beat that? The title role. The one all mankind searches for. All yellow brick roads lead to him. Plus he gets the best line in the whole play..."Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"My prayers were answered. He is happy and excited. He persevered with grace. I believe he will have fun. And just to

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961753780583028561.post-3052359569774183222008-02-03T15:08:00.001-05:002008-02-17T07:53:29.171-05:00

"...Jesus...was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light." Matthew 17:1-2

Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05645523504555992984noreply@blogger.com0