• Thursday, August 21, 2008 - Horse riding...
• Thursday, August 21, 2008 - From My Inbox: Malachi 3:3
This is awesome! Hope you enjoy it!
Malachi 3:3 says:
'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.
He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:
'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Blessings,
Carol
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• 2008-Aug-21 - Leanne’s Mission Trip, Part Two
Posted By Crystal Miller
As boot camp came to a close the kids began the task of packing up their belongings and getting ready to head to Egypt. Not all teams left on the same day and their team was a few days behind most of the others. The last few nights they were able to sleep in the dorm rooms. And after 2 weeks in tents that flooded often with all the summer rains in Florida, they all appreciated this quite a bit!
Here are a few pics of them packing up their gear….
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You can see everyone’s duffle bags and carry-on’s lined up and ready to go.
There were a total of 70 duffle bags packed for the trip. Thirty five of them were the belongings of the team members and leaders and the rest were food.
They packed up the bus and headed to the airport to catch their first flight…
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There first stop was in Paris. Leanne took this picture as they were approaching Paris…
They had to wait for their plane to Cairo so everyone found some way to catch a bit of sleep while they waited.
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They arrived in Cairo and had a 10 hour bus trip to the orphanage. They finally arrived to their destination late at night and this is what they saw:
I thought you might like to read Leanne’s own words on what boot camp was like and how she feels about it now that she is home. The next posting on her trip will begin at the orphanage.
Boot Camp
Leanne Miller
The first day I arrived at boot camp was a little hectic. The fist thing I went through was getting registered, transferring all my things to a duffel (which was challenging due to the fact everything had to be on chairs and nothing was allowed to touch the floor) they issued me, and getting acquainted with most of my team mates that had already arrived. We then took our stuff to our camp site that had already been taken over by mosquitoes. I had no idea what boot camp was going to be like, but I could tell they weren’t joking when they said this was no pamper camp.
We woke up every morning at five-thirty to one of our leaders singing some happy energetic song that not one of us appreciated at that time in the morning. We had exactly five minutes to be outside our tent with our boots on, name tag on, and a clean tent ready for inspection. We ran an obstacle course every morning, which included anything from climbing over a huge mountain of tires, using ropes to swing across water, crawling through barrels, etc…then it was on to breakfast! Meal time was always a highlight to everyone. We always had to eat everything we took or we got a SB, which stands for special blessing and we have to work them off during our free time. After that we had devotional time, listened to a couple speakers, had our brick laying class, lunch, some other classes, puppet class (which was one of my favorite classes), bath and laundry time, free time or SB time, dinner, and then we finished every day with a rally with all the teams.
We learned how to wash our clothes by hand, we took bucket baths, which was done in public so for two weeks we never really got clean, and how to do everything very quickly. Just about everybody’s level of vanity dropped drastically. There was no time for make-up, and not much time for clean clothes (it rained just about everyday and so it was hard to get your clothes dry), clean hair, and basic things like that. As unsanitary as this may seem, looking back I can see how important it was to get us used to this kind of environment. It prepared us for the field. We also had to learn a verse everyday. There was rarely a time when we didn’t have something to do.
The hardest parts for me were getting used to having everyday of my time planned out by someone else, and while I was there I was asked to write a brief testimony of why I decided to come to Teen Missions, what I had learned from boot camp, and that kind of thing. This wouldn’t have been a big ordeal if I had had time to think it out and had plenty of time to write it, but they needed it in three hrs, all of which I had classes. It was hard to write something personal under pressure. Not to mention in one of those classes we had a lady who walked by making sure everyone was paying attention. It just added to the pressure.
Boot camp was hard, and it was definitely a stretching experience, but it prepared us thoroughly for our trip, and it showed us what it is often times like for missionaries. Though it was tough it was worth it, and I would recommend Teen Missions to anyone who is interested in missionary work and wants to see if they would like it.
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• Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Almost time for bed....
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The clock reads 7:25pm...and that means it's almost time for slumber...
But, I realized today that I hadn't blogged in almost a week, so I thought I'd take a minute while my children are brushing their teeth to post.
Today is my folks' 43rd wedding anniversary!!! 43 years. One big thing they've taught me is that even when times get tough (and they will), stick together, work it out and keep on lovin'. You can weather most any storm TOGETHER.
Today is also my FIL's birthday. Happy Birthday Ken!!!
Just two days remain for Thomas to be 12. I tell ya, I can't believe he's almost 13!! I do wonder where the time goes....
School is going well. I will admit that this is proving to be my hardest year yet. This is our 12th year of home education...and the first year that all four of our children are in "official" school. Teaching 1st, 4th, 8th and 10th grades is tough! But, I can't imagine my children learning anywhere else. I've never thought of letting anyone else teach my children, and I'm not about to start now! 
Honey will be celebrating his third anniversary at Home Depot this Friday. I'm so proud of him...he was told today that he will be going to another store for two days next week to help them out...since their IMA isn't doing a good job. The district manager and his boss decided he was the best person for the job. That's my Honey! 
I've spent today making a pot of homemade tomato sauce, and baking cakes..in between the schooling. Friday is the big day here...a double party for Thomas and Natalie. I need to print off some decorations for Thomas' cake, but both should be pretty easy cakes. Much easier than last year...that was the year of an airsoft war cake and a tea pot and tea cups cake. This year, it's a boy's life cake and a dress up cake. Easy. I like easy! Especially right now!
Life is constantly flowing....and I feel sometimes like I'm paddling against the flow. This is how I've been feeling lately. Like I could use a summer vacation...except the time for that is long gone. A flyer came yesterday for a small farms expo in November. It's to be held in Missouri, which isn't too terribly far away. It's a two day deal...and not expensive to attend. I'd so love to whisk Honey away just the two of us for a trip there. Not like we could afford to rent a car, pay for the gas and hotel....and leave our children for three days or so. It's one of my pipe dreams...I have alot of those sometimes! 
I've been kissed four times during this entry...guess that means it's time to turn in myself. Busy, busy day ahead tomorrow. Cake decorating, house cleaning, laundry, school work, cooking.....much to do...much to do. Some of the boys are spending the night after the party on Friday...so I think Saturday afternoon is gonna be Mama crash time!
Have a blessed evening!
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• 2008-Aug-20 - Somewhere....A Recipe
Posted By GrannyG
| I love to collect recipes and have more than I will ever try to cook in the rest of the time I have left on this earth. I put them into books, I paste them into notebooks, I put them on index files, I stick them in drawers, they are taped onto my cupboards...recipes everywhere...I remember reading the recipe and cutting it out, I stuck it in a pile somewhere, and for over a week, I have hunted for it...Still have not found it, so I decided to just try to remember what it said...It was for Coconut French Toast. Yesterday, I had some coconut left so I toasted it and put it in a container to use for the topping. When I got up this morning, the rain and dampness seemed to say I needed to try to make the recipe. I used an egg, eyeballed about 3/4 cup of milk, and added Cream of Coconut, probably about 1/2 cup or so, and whipped it together. My skillet was heating and I sprayed it with Pam...did not want it to stick. As I dipped the slices of bread in the mixture, I was already contemplating how good it would taste. After the one side browned nicely, I again sprayed and turned it over, it smelled good. Crisp bacon strips were ready, and then I assembled my masterpiece. I slathered each slice with good old butter, drizzled it with thick syrup, and scattered the toasted coconut on top. What a breakfast delight ! It was so good, I am looking forward to another Coconut French Toast breakfast. |
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• Tue 19 Aug 2008 - Selecting Preparing and Canning Meat Chicken or Rabbit
Selecting Preparing and Canning Meat
Chicken or Rabbit
Procedure: Choose freshly killed and dressed, heathy animals. Large chickens are more flavorful than fryers.
Dressed chicken should be chilled for 6 to 12 hours before canning. Dressed rabbits should be soaked 1 hour in water containing 1 tablespoon of salt per quart, and then rinsed. Remove excess fat. Cut the chicken or rabbit into suitable sizes for canning. Can with or without bones.
Hot pack – Boil, steam or bake meat until about two-thirds done. Add 1 teaspoon salt per quart to the jar, if desired.
Fill jars with pieces and hot broth, leaving 1-1/4 inch headspace.
Raw pack – Add 1 teaspoon salt per quart, if desired. Fill jars loosely with raw meat pieces, leaving 1-1/4 inch headspace.
Do not add liquid.
Adjust lids and process following the recommendations in Table 1 or Table 2 according to the canning method used.
Table 1. Recommended process time for Chicken or Rabbit in a dial-gauge pressure canner.
Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack Without Bones: Hot and Raw
Jar Size Process Time 0- 2,000 ft 2,001 - 4,000 ft 4,001 - 6,000 ft 6,001 - 8,000 ft
Pints 75 min 11 lb 12 lb 13 lb 14 lb
Quarts 90 11 12 13 14
Style of Pack With Bones: Hot and Raw
Jar Size Process Time 0- 2,000 ft 2,001 - 4,000 ft 4,001 - 6,000 ft 6,001 - 8,000 ft
Pints 65 min 11 lb 12 lb 13 lb 14 lb
Quarts 75 11 12 13 14
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Table 2. Recommended process time for Chicken or Rabbit in a weighted-gauge pressure canner.
Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of
Style of Pack Without Bones: Hot and Raw
Jar Size Process Time
0 - 1,000 ft Above 1,000 ft
Pints 75 min 10 lb 15 lb
Quarts 90 10 15 |
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• Tue 19 Aug 2008 - Hope in the Midst of Suffering ..Charles Stanley
Hope in the Midst of Suffering
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
We all go through distressing times in life. These seasons of suffering may be brought about by relational difficulties, financial hardships, or other trials. But as God's children, we can take heart in knowing that our pain is not wasted.
Sometimes our pain is for the eternal benefit of others--the Lord uses it to reveal the genuineness of our faith so that others might see it and be drawn to His Son (1 Peter 1:7). By the way we respond to adversity, our belief in Jesus becomes visible to those around us. Believers will be encouraged, and seekers will ask us questions about our faith.
At other times, God uses trials to teach us to obey--Hebrews 5:8 tells us that even our Savior learned obedience from the things He suffered. Another purpose of hardship is to broaden our ministry. The apostle Paul's imprisonment let him minister among the guards, resulting in the salvation of many.
Difficulties can also be the Lord's tool in preventing a problem from happening--an unidentified ailment kept Paul from becoming prideful. When disobedience threatens our walk with God, He will take whatever steps are needed to draw us back to Him. He may allow a need to remain unmet or something cherished to be removed. His purpose is that we confess our sin and return to Him.
We may not know the reasons for our heartaches, but the wisest choice is to trust God. After all, He who saved us through the sacrifice of His Son has promised to use our suffering to bring about eternal good (Rom. 8:28).
www.intouch.org
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• Monday, August 18, 2008 - Groggy Monday...
Posted By mamaof2andtwins
I don't know why I am so tired today. It seems like I have been having a hard time keeping my eyes open all day. I had a dental cleaning today. That turned out well. I also took Jonathan in for a check on his retainer. Tomorrow I have two appointments also. When it rains, it pours.
One of my appointments tomorrow is with my ENT. I have to say that my voice has been steadily improving. I thank the Lord for His healing in me. I have even been tempted to sing during worship at church. I am supposed to refrain for a few weeks longer. I will double check with him about that tomorrow.
We are also into our 3rd week of our 9th homeschool year. I am slowly adding in a new subject each week. This week Jonathan is starting TRISMS which is new for us, and the girls are beginning their science.
I have been making bagels. This is my attempt to be frugal. I posted a lot of pictures on my blogspot blog. If you stop by, please leave a comment. I would sincerely appreciate it.
http://thefruitofherhands-motplus2.blogspot.com/
Thank you for reading.
Blessings,
Jennie |
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• Mon 18 Aug 2008 - 10 Easy Organizing Tricks For The Kitchen
• 2008-Aug-18 - Leanne’s Mission Trip, Part One
Posted By Crystal Miller
There is no way I could give you a quick and simple overview of Leanne’s trip. Last night our family began the journey through over 900 pictures she took while gone! We made it half way through and it was time for dad to leave for work so we will continue our tour today some time. So what I have decided to do is to share with you about her missions trip in parts. That way I have time to digest all her info, resize pictures to post and share a little more detail with you. I hope you enjoy this mission trip to Egypt with Leanne!
Leanne began her experience with Teen Missions by leaving on a plane from the West Coast and flying to Orlando Florida. She along with several other who were on her flight were met by a Teen Missions representative and taken to Merritt Island Florida for two weeks of training that they call “boot camp”. The term boot camp has a couple of different meanings. One is simple and straight forward.. every team member buy’s a pair of boots and wears them. No other types of shoes are allowed other than water shoes. The other meaning is more like the military term in the fact that there is a lot of training and group work going on. They learn not only necessary skills for when they are on the field, but how to live without common luxuries like showers and toilets that flush, but they also begin learning how to work together as a team through a lot of physical training. Boot camp is primitive, difficult and according to Leanne was a real challenge to get through.
Here are some pictures of the kids arriving at boot camp:
They were issued a lot gear such as hard hats, water canteens, carry on bags, duffle bags, etc..
Here is Leanne’s some of Leanne’s team members assembled. There were 31 kids on her team.
Living conditions at boot camp were primitive. Here is laundry and bath day:
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Here is the water used to flush the toilets:
There were no showers so they swam in the lake you see in the picture at the top until it got too dirty and then they closed it down and switched to Alligator Lake and no one went swimming in that one! 
Much of their day was spent with classes in brick laying and cement. They never did lay any bricks but they definitely put the cement classes to use!
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As I said earlier the only shoes they wore were boots.. 6 or 8 inch lace up leather work boots. Leanne took this picture of one of her team mates all dressed and ready for church in her work boots! 
Now purely as a side note… the mothering side of me got a kick out this photo:
You see the brick in the girls hand? Well the kids could not leave their belongings laying around. If you did leave something behind the next day you carried a brick around with you all day long as a reminder to pick up your stuff.. I loved the idea and told the kids I need to come up with my own version of this! Think how this would solve the clutter problems! LOL… (they were not thrilled by my excitement over this new found idea..  )
That is all I have time for today but I will be back to share more of boot camp and their departure to Egypt!
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