Mother/Daughter Bible Studies

Mother/Daughter Bible studies seem to be the most inquired topic for which my blog is visited.  Here is a list of some books we have studied with our daughters over the years.

~ God's Priceless Woman by Wanda Sansari

    This was our first study with a group of moms and their daughters.  It was a wonderful look at Proverbs 31 with much discussion on how we inact the principles of the passage in our daily thoughts, attitudes and actions.  It was time intensive.  The girls and I went over the questions every Sunday afternoon and then did the second part at the study.

     One cautionary word is that it assumes everyone homeschools (which worked for our group)

~  A Young Woman's Walk With God by Elizabeth George
    Wonderful!!  A look at the Fruits of the Spirit.  My oldest daughter says that was here favorite study.  Discussion questions are at the end of the chapter.  This was an amazing study for us all.

~  Growing in Wisdom and Faith by Elizabeth George
    A study on the book of James.  This was a great study but I would not do it again with young ladies.  It may have been the particular make-up of our group, but I thought this study was a "downer."  Maybe others profitted from it but I was glad when it was over and we were not focusing so much on the trials of life. 

~  Experiencing God's Peace by Elizabeth George
    A study on the book of Philippians.  I insisted that we study a book with an emphasis on JOY after our study on James and the emphasis on trials.  Another profitable study!!

~  Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola
    Abby and I are doing this book now.  We break out the Oreos (we never have oreos in the house) and delve into the sometimes sensitive mother and daughter issues.  We have only completed a few chapters and I hope it is our summer project.  My older 3 daughters read the book independantly.  It comes with a companion guide and I can see where it would make a lovely group study.  Be prepared to deal with your own heart too when you go through the chapters.

~ Beyond Beautiful Girlhood by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, Revised by Shelly Noonan

   We did a once a month study with daughter #3 and #4 with a group.  Abby was really too young for this (10 years) but profitted in some ways.  Lydia (16 years) was better suited for the subject matter.  Excellent topics. 

~  The Three Weavers by Robert and Shelley Noonan

    A Father/Daughter study (had to throw this one in there)  This has been one of the most profitable studies we have done with our daughters.  The three oldest girls were ages 16, 15 and 13.  It worked having the 13-year-old in the study because she was joining in with her sisters.  We will wait with daughter #4 until she is about 15 year old.  Fathers and daughters discuss how they will handle situations when the young men begin entering their lives.  Delicate issues are dealt with in a very sensitive manner.  I cannot say enough good about this book. It helped us build foundations long before any need had arisen. 

Lasagna Beds

The first time I heard of lasagna garden beds I thought they had to do with what was planted in the garden: tomatoes, basil, peppers, oregano, etc...  But it actually refers to the way you "layer" the garden.

Here's how it starts......
Our friend Tony put the 10'x5' bed together for me.  This helped me visualize where the beds will go in the yard.  I later went to Lowes and bought the boards for a 5'x5' herb garden.  It's a start!!!

First layer:  Cardboard.  Put it right on top of the grass. I know! It goes against everything we've done in the past.  The cardboard smothers everything growing under it.

Next, layers of newpaper.  Don't use the glossy advertisements.

Then off to the back yard for our lovely decomposed, shredded leaves and compost from the bin that has been collecting since last August.   

 Then our final layer for the season- peat moss. 

My Lasagna Bed Advisors tell me I'm now ready to plant.  I'm sure the experts will cringe when they see my beds but it is what it is for this season.  Updates to be posted.

The Journey Toward a New House...... Or Whatever Possessed Us to Buy a 150-Year-Old Home!

We started out for Prayer Meeting that Wednesday night in February and the weather was clear.  By the time we reached our destination, the snow was steadily falling.  At the potluck dinner, one of the Elders asked me what it would take to get us to move to Poland, NY.  I promptly replied, "It would take a miracle."  And his response- "Well, that's what we pray for around here." 

So the church fellowship started praying. 

Poland is an older village filled with older homes with the dreams and hopes of being renovated.  I went to an Open House in April and knew this particular house was not for us.  But the realitor set up an appointement to view another house further down the street.  Tom went back with me a second time to look, but we were not willing to pay the price being asked.

11 years earlier we moved into a neighbor of 1900 Folk Victorian houses that were being renovated.  We loved working on our house, learning how to sheetrock, do electrical work, plumbing, etc... (oh....should I say my husband learned)  We also did a huge attic renovation to make a suite for our 3 teenage daughters.  But we soon became the only ones in the neighborhood working on improvements and the condition of the neighborhood began to decline. Friends who moved from the same neighborhood advised us to contact their realitor before we made any more improvements for the sake of resale.  This was great advice.

The realitor said not to do a thing and he would sell the house in a month.   We thought this was a bit pompous considering the stagnation of the housing market.  He also took a look at the house in Poland that we liked.  He found out the people were anxious to sell this property and we proceeded to put in a much lower bid.  They accepted.

What!!  We put our house on the market and the first people to look at it bought it- at our asking price.  It all happened in a period of 10 days.

Now, our family is not known for making quick changes.  We analyze and evaluate things "to death."  But this was God's work.  It was our little miracle.

 

So here we are enjoying our new little life and thanking God for making our change so very clear.

To Blog or Not to Blog

August of 2009....
Really!  That was the last time I blogged?
Blogging began as a way to keep family and friends updated on my family's life.  When my grandmother was alive, it gave me great pleasure to know she was regularly reading my posts.  Then blogging became a creative outlet.  Then bloggiing became a form of networking with fellow bloggers of like passions and interests.

Then it became a chore.  Then it became a obligation.   Then it became one more thing to fit into the schedule.

Why?  Change was on the horizon.  It wasn't something our family was planning.  It wasn't something for which we hoped.  It was part of a new journey for which God had been preparing the way.

A new church.  A new fellowship of believers.  A new town for ministry.  And this all led to a new home.

The past year and a half has been a joyous, scary, grace-filled time for our family.

It's time for me to remember those reasons I started blogging in the first place.

My New Favorite Song

A Little Humor

You Know How Some Things Just Make You Smile

The Estes family (see sidebar, "Prayers for Noah") are going on a dream vacation to Disney World through the Make A Wish Foundation! I just keep smiling as I think of their 15 passenger van pulling into the parking lot and all of those kids jumping out to enjoy their once in a lifetime vacation. May it help lighten their little hearts.

Making Red Envelopes

Have you heard about Red Envelope Day?

http://www.redenvelopeday.com/

Here is a explanation of the project that we found on the internet:

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal. As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear. Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.

On the front, address it to:
President Barack Obama
The White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
N.W. Washington , D.C. 20500
On the back, write the following message:

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.

Our Bible study made red envelopes. It was very cost effective.

Price at Staples: 10 envelopes- $3.49

500 sheets red paper- $11.99

Join the cause!

How to Spend a Saturday

While this was happening.....

this was happening......
and this was happening....
and this was happening.....

so this could happen........
so this could be built.

It's good to be 9.

A Funny Little Story

This little story gets passed around every few months and it always gives me a good laugh......

A Funny Little Story About Hymns and Praise Songs
By Author Unknown

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," said the farmer. "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."

"Praise choruses?" asked the wife. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're okay. They're sort of like hymns, only different," said the farmer.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked the wife.

The farmer said, "Well it's like this ... If I were to say to you, 'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' well that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you,
'Martha, Martha, Martha,
Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,
the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows,
the white cows, the black and white cows,
the COWS, COWS,
COWS are in the corn,
are in the corn, are in the corn,
in the CORN, CORN, CORN, COOOOORRRRRNNNNN,'

then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus."

As luck would have it, the exact same Sunday a young, new Christian from the city church attended the small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," said the young man, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs."

"Hymns?" asked the wife. "What are those?"

"They're okay. They're sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked the wife.

The young man said, "Well it's like this ... If I were to say to you, 'Martha, the cows are in the corn,' well that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you,

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, glorious truth.
For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense,
Hearkenest they in God's sun or his rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.
Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn chewed.
So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn,

then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four, and change keys on the last verse, well that would be a hymn."

Frugal Recipe

Here's another recipe from the frugal collection- Hannah's Whole Wheat Bread. We make this once a week. It always turns out beautifully. We do put some white bread flour in and use whole wheat flour that a friend grinds for me. Our oven is a little hot for this bread so we turn it down about 25 degrees. Try it. You'll love it!!!

Whole Wheat Bread Hannah H.
3 cups warm water
5 tsp yeast
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup powdered milk
8 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
Dissolve the yeast into the warm water with the one tbsp of
warm water. Mix in the powered milk, brown sugar, salt, oil,
egg, and six cups of the whole wheat flour. Turn onto a floured
board or counter. Knead in the remaining flour a bit at a time
until you have a rice round ball of tacky but not sticky dough.
You may use less or all of the remaining flour, depending on
Your dough. Don't let this stress you. It is normal.Set your nice ball of dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a towel
and let it rise in a warm place. I set the bowl inside a warmed oven
or by the woodstove. Let it rise until doubled, about an hour. Turn
the dough back onto your floured board and divide it roughly in
thirds. Knead and shape each section into a loaf, setting inside
your buttered bread pans. Place the bread pans in a warm place
and preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Let the bread rise in the
pans for a half hour before carefully sliding them into the oven. Bake the bread for 15 minutes at 400 and then lower the heat to 350 degrees, baking for another half hour.

Our Winter Get-Away

Tom took me to our favorite winter get-away destination- The Bellhust Castle.

The moon coming up over the lake

We stay at the Manor.


It's a beautiful place to stay on a cold winter day.

Now, how do I get our bedroom at home to be this fabulous! A fireplace and jacuzzi would help.

Valentine's Dinner

We tried two new recipes for our Valentine's dinner with Grammy and Poppy....Chicken Cordon Blu from The Taste of Home Cookbook and Roasted Asparagus.... both were a hit.

A Glimpse at Movie Night

We combined our movie night gifts from Aunt Sherry and Uncle Chris. No, we did not eat it all in one night, but we did put a major dent in the basket.

Why Some People Think They See UFO's

My family was on our way to a Joshua Bell concert......

......when we viewed this strange weather phenomenon. The pictures don't do it justice, but all of the street lights, car headlights, parking lot lights, etc... projected beams of light UP into the sky.

We could not find any information about this through our local news. If anyone knows what could cause this phenomenon, my family would be very interested in your theory. Oh, and by the way, it was about -20 degrees F. and the time was between 7:00-7:30 pm.

Please, beam me up! I could use a UFO abduction out of this cold.

Perking Up

I have felt like a slug! December and January were not healthy months for my family. So I think I will eliminate those months from my memory. Now I am trying to get back on track with vitamins, water, exercise and a better diet.
Such good intentions.
My frugal associates will appreciate the fact that my gym membership is free. It is at the local high school and that sounds great. Oh, but the hours! It is open 6-7am M-F and 5:30-8:30 M-Th. Very restricted, but it's free and only 1/2 mile from my house.
Then came this morning. It's 5:50am and the kitchen floor feels REALLY cold. The van doesn't want to start. It is -20 degrees!!!!!! This woman got a cup of green tea and curled up on the couch.
My good intentions can continue tomorrow when the warm -up begins. It should be 10 degrees at 6:00a.m.

True Woman Conference

Two weeks ago I was privileged to go to a winter ladies retreat. Well, not really a retreat like you're thinking, but close enough. Seven ladies gathered at a friend's house to view the True Woman Conference that was held in October. What a blessing!!! We only made it through 4 of the sessions and I'm anxiously waiting to hear when we will watch the next 4.

Much to our surprise, we found out later that you can view them online. Here is the link:http://www.truewoman.com/?id=317

John Piper was excellent.... so was Nancy Leigh DeMoss....... and so were the other two speakers.

Let me know if you listened to them and were blessed.

Frugal Recipe

This was my contribution to the frugal recipe collection. Hope it helps in your pursuit of frugal meals:

Rubber Chicken- How to make one chicken stretch for 3 days

Original recipe from Flylady.net but changed and adapted for our family of 6
Day 1- 1 Chicken- wash and pat dry
½ celery rib (cut into pieces)
1 onion
1 carrot- cut into 2” pieces
salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Season cavity with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and place cut-up vegetables inside. Sprinkle outside with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour (or so)
Make this day a real “Sunday Dinner” meal. Bake bread to use for Day 1 and Day 2. Serve with lots of vegetables.
After dinner, put leftover chicken (you do want leftovers) into the refrigerator to save for Day 3. Save a carcass for Day 2.
Day 2- Put the carcass in a pan with 3 quarts of water, onion, carrots celery, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook the daylights out of it and strain. Make soup and serve with leftover bread from Day 1.
Day 3- The Adventure Continues
Mix leftover chicken pieces from Day 1 with one can of black beans and salsa. Serve with tortillas, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, etc….

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
Epicurius

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