In Memory......

Today, we pause in silence to remember those that gave their life for our country and freedom.  Those who dared to defend, who sacrificed, and volunteered for our future.  I thanked God today for these that did this great sacrifice and also for Jesus and His sacrifice - they both had one goal and purpose - so that others may be free!

They fell, but over their glorious grave floats free the banner of the cause they died to save. ~ Francis Marion Crawford

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June Freezer/Batch Cooking Meal Planning

I will be starting my planning for June's freezer/batch cooking now and then shopping for it next week and then cooking meals for the whole month (till the 2nd week of July) next weekend.  I blogged about my progress with our first try at freezing cooking and you can check all of those out under "freezer/batch cooking".  This month, I'm aiming to do the freezer meals for the entire month.  Well actually, the way my month runs - it starts and ends the 2nd Tuesday of each month, so this month I need to have 34 dinner meals.

I did reviews of the recipes we tried for freezer cooking, what we liked and disliked.  Then I'm trying some brand new recipes out this month and will also do a review on those next month.  I'm building our families' freezer cooking recipe book I guess you could say!  It is more of a trial and error right now but after a few months of this, we will have enough "good" recipes to do the full 30 days without worrying if it will be good or not.

I don't do freezer/batch cooking for breakfast or lunch except for the pancakes and bread items below.  For breakfast we have pancakes, eggs, toast or oatmeal.  Then lunches consist of sandwiches or burritos with carrot sticks, string cheese, or fruit.

Baked Goods, Desserts, Snacks and Condiments

1. Jam
2. Granola bars
3. Pumpkin bread
4. Banana flax muffins
5. Italian dressing 
6. Ketchup
7. Pancakes
8. Bread
9. Peanut butter balls
10. Cinnamon rolls
11. Cookies 
12. Healthier Corn Dogs - new recipe we are going to try out, looks yummy!

Dinner Meals - 34 meals

1. Mini Meatloaves - 4 meals
2. Dinner in a Bag (Beefy Mac) - 4 meals
3. Chicken Divan - 3 meals
4. Chicken & Spinach Pasta - 3 meals
5. Beans & Rice - 2 meals
6. Spaghetti - 4 meals
7. Pizza - 5 meals
8. Mac n' Cheese - 2 meals (new recipe)
9. Sloppy Joes & Home Fries- 2 meals (new recipe)
10. Stuffed Pasta Shells - 2 meals (new recipe)
11. Hamburgers & Home Fries - 3 meals

Next step: Drafting my preparation plan for the day before and the actual day of.  I want it to go smoother and quicker this time and going to use what I learn the first time around and get it flowing a bit better.  Having cheeses shredded, vegetables cut up, and creams or soups already assembled really helps.

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Martha, Martha!

I agreed with this article and thought it was a good read and relates to what seems to be the trend lately.  It reminds me of the Martha syndrome and how we should strive to be more like Mary and giving priority to what is REALLY important in our lives.  So many things fight for our time - it is up to us to decide what gets the most of our time.  The saying is so true "You make time for the things that YOU think are important".  Just look at where and how you spend your time and you will find what you value and treasure the most.

Here is a quote from the article:

"There’s an enormous pressure on stay-at-home mothers to prove that they aren’t “wasting their time;” to justify being at home for their families. This is something that doesn’t need to be justified, in my opinion, and often leads to mothers accepting extra responsibilities and activities (even if they have enough on their plate already) such as social functions, volunteering, watching other people’s children, starting home businesses, and trying to fill up every moment of the day."

You can read the full article here:
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/?p=1094

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Blog-land Spirit of Elitism

It is amazing that when you roam the "blogging world" that you see people adopt beliefs, ideas or opinions of others as their own.  If one person says it is ok to do this or that - next thing you know, other bloggers are joining in, even though they had to push against their own consciences.  They make something "ok", simply because someone else is doing it or says it is ok.

I think this is where I differ from the majority of women in blog-land.  I've refused invitations, advertising and allowing my writings to be used in other blogs because I couldn't support the belief system with which they upheld.  I guess it boils down to this - I can't be BOUGHT!

You don't see advertisements and money-making gimmicks on my blog because I'm not here for what I can get out of it.....financially speaking.  I'm not here to change my values, beliefs and "go with the flow" and become part of the elite in blog-land.  I'm not even here to be the best among them, to have the most readers, or any other pursuits of the flesh.  I'm here to serve - God and others.

A lot of women have gone from serving their home and family and helping others online with their blogs - to forsaking their home and family to make money or become "famous" in the internet realm.  Instead of brain-storming for ways to better run our homes and curb spending for the home, it becomes a game of who can save the most or who can show off the most.

The spirit of elitism has taken ahold of so many and the greed and love of money overpowered so many women that they lost the vision.  They constantly pat themselves on the back for raising money to help their husband, when the Bible clearly tells us that the man is the provider.  You want to really help him?  How about getting off the computer and getting off your rear and making him something homemade everday!?  How about, instead of refusing him because you have another blog post to make or another advertiser's review to post - you turn the computer off and give due benevolence?  Put down the coupons women and play with your children!!!!

Have we lost sight of what is really important?  I'm tired of hearing other women brag about the money they are making as if they are doing more for their husband than I am.  When in reality, it's the other way around!  God set it up for the woman to care for the home and the husband to provide.  When you try and do your job and your husband's job - it may "seem" at the time that you are helping but sooner or later - your bag will have holes.

My hope is to persuade women everywhere to put priorities in their proper order - God, Family, Others.  Don't let riches tempt you to give your valuable time to another endeavor other than the one God has given you to take care of.

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Freezer Meal & Batch Cooking Recipe Reviews #1

We tried several new recipes the past month and a half and now I want to do a review on what we liked and what we didn't like.

Dinners - Frozen

1. Chicken and Spinach Pasta - all liked it
2. Chicken Divan - all liked it, hubby especially; I used homemade chicken condensed cream soup
3. Chicken Southwest Roll ups - no one liked it, it was edible but not something I would make again
4. Brown Bag Burritos - not my favorite but my daughter loved these
5. Mini-Meat loafs - a real winner in our house!!  Absolutely delicious and even tasted better after being frozen.  I used homemade ketchup for this.
6. Taco Pasta - I can't remember which one, this recipe or the next one - that was soo very good and the other was rubbery after being frozen.  I think it was the Taco Pasta that was good but I guess I will have to make this meal again for the freezer to see if it was this recipe.
7. Dinner a bag - see note for Taco Pasta; also this one is a recipe I've had for years - however, this was our first time trying it frozen

Misc.

1. Pumpkin bread (frozen) - sooo good 
2. Banana Flax Muffins (frozen) - sooo good!!  
3. Peanut butter balls - the favorite!  I've made about 4 batches of these the past month - the whole family loves 'em
4. Ketchup - delicious and better than store-bought
5. Italian Dressing - after refrigeration, separation issues deterred us from using it - I didn't feel like waiting for it to reach room temp to liquefy

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10 Year Anniversary Letter

Hubby said I could post this and thought it worthy to share with others.  After being married for ten years, I could say that we know a thing or two about marriage!  It takes work and love, but above all - it takes GOD!  Nate's letter to me really sums it all up and how we have made it through the storms and come out stronger.  We have been through so much that would have broken many couples bond but somehow we made it through and God mended our hearts. 

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. ~Mark 10:9

Dear Beverly,
     When you get married, you really are only thinking of the here and now.  It's not apparent what the next year, 5 years or whatever amount of time, will bring.  Expectation is always roses and ease in the honeymoon hours and days.  The world seems to only care about those things - always for themselves - and maybe for the spouse.  When adversity or disagreements come - it appears that those tests are not desired - and it all ends.  Rather than the true building of love, the choice is made to end the "hardships".
     I will admit that I don't think either of us expected anything that happened in the past ten years.  I was young, naive and happy-go-lucky.  I didn't recognize the early marital storms for what they truly were.  I did, however, know that I cared for you.  Looking back with my 'decade glasses' I can see a fortress of love being constructed.  The walls are now stone, though the wooden ones burned in trials.  The castle now stands firm as a testament to real love.  We walk the halls with security and trust in our hearts.
     Neither of us being perfect; we have understood and forgiven.  We've laughed hysterically together and buried the hatchets so many times.
     I can't imagine what life would be without my soul mate.  You are my help, my love, my crutch - everything for every need.  Though many other words fail me right now - experience with you has taught me all I need to know about our marriage.
     We are armed for the future.  I look forward to more laughs, tears, wrinkles and white hairs.  To gain them without you would just be age.  To live them with you will be my honor and pleasure.

                                                                                    With all sincerity and love,
                                                                                              Nate

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God's Standards for Women

(Proverbs 31:10-31)

1. Morally perfect (v.10)
2. Invaluable (v.10)
3. Trustworthy (v.11)
4. Inherently good and true (v.12)
5. Ingenious - proficient (v.13)
6. Thrifty - laborious (v.14)
7. Dutiful - considerate (v.15)
8. Versatile - judicious (v.16)
9. Tireless -healthy (v.17)
10.  Joyful - efficient (v.18)
11.  Watchful - cautious (v.18)
12.  Skillful (v.19)
13.  Charitable - benevolent (v.20)
14.  Generous - merciful (v.20)
15.  Fearless - provident (v.21)
16.  Clever at decorating - furnishing (v.22)
17.  Refined in taste (v.22)
18.  Respected (v.23)
19.  Industrious - prosperous (v.24)
20.  Dependable - honest (v.25)
21.  Confident - hopeful (v.25)
22.  Wise - discreet (v.26)
23.  Kind - understanding (v.26)
24.  Prudent - practical (v.27)
25.  Energetic - ever active (v.27)
26.  An ideal wife and mother (v.28)
27.  Honored by her family (v.27-28)
28.  Excels in virtue (v.29)
29.  God fearing - humble (v.30)
30.  Deserving - successful (v.31)
31.  Honored by the public (v.31)

Finis Jennings Dake

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Free Printable June 2010 Calendar

This month's theme is gardening and summer, enjoy! ;-)

Free Printable June 2010 Calendar

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Anxiety Quotes

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. -George Mueller

How much have cost us the evils that never happened! - T. Jefferson

Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained. - Arthur Somers Roche

An average person’s anxiety is focused on:
40% -- things that will never happen
30% -- things about the past that can’t be changed
12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress
8% -- about real problems that will be faced

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7 Principles for Dealing with Haters

If you have a blog and speak the truth, chances are - you will have some haters.  I've never had a lack of haters.  I could blog on toilet tissue and would get haters.  The goal is to learn to love your haters says Tim Ferriss.  It is our haters who make us stronger after all!  He came up with 7 principles for dealing with haters:

2. 10% of people will find a way to take anything personally. Expect it.
3. “Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity.” (Colin Powell)
4. “If you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative.” (Scott Boras)

Read more here.

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Gulp!

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Teacher of the Year Beats Student

A 40 year old, two-time "Teacher of the Year" science teacher, claims her emotions got the best of her and she couldn't seem to stop herself from beating this 6th grade boy till he was bruised and black-eyed.  I'm at a loss for words.......

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What I'm Up To....

I'm gearing up for some more batch cooking/freezer cooking this week!  I'm telling you all, it is SOOO worth it! I plan on doing a full 30 days of once-a-month cooking next month so I can have fun and enjoy this summer without having the oven/stove on every day to cook!  ;-)   I still have several meals left in my freezer and then sauces as well - so I won't need to make too much for the rest of May.

I got some comments recently that I didn't accept and not sure if I will, but please - if you don't care for my opinion, then don't care and leave.  It really is that simple and I'm not worth your time right?

With homeschool, we are having a blast as usual.  My daughter is now reading on a 2nd grade level so I'm really happy with the curriculum I chose for our first "official" year and will do reviews on what we have completed in the future.  I've put videos of our lessons on our homeschool website and you can visit that here:

www.cambridgeshireacademy.com

I've been pretty busy so I haven't gotten around to finishing up my simplifying, although I do have bags of things to give away.  I finally found a taker for our stuffed animals - so 2 trash bags of those are gone woohoo!

With my health, things are better and I've been well now for 5 weeks (except today's sore throat) - which is really shocking to me but I'm so thankful.  I gave myself a 4-wk boot camp till June and I'm shedding weight finally.  I realized that its all about self-control and its up to us to control what we put in and how long we sit, if we are honest with ourselves.  Shut the hole and get up and move is my motto in this 4-wk boot camp LOL!  Hey, it works!!

Our 10-year Anniversary is coming up soon - I'm still in love with my sweetheart and we still hold hands! ;-)

That about sums it up right now, well at least what I want to share online.

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Happy Mother's Day!

What is the one thing that we can see throughout the Bible, old and new testaments, that women desired?  They prayed for it and longed for it and when it did not come they mourned.  Do you know?

It was children - or to be a Mother!  Praying for God to bless the "fruit of your womb" was a common thing for the examples of women God gave us in His Word.  There wasn't one woman in the Bible that prayed otherwise.  God wanted us to see that Motherhood was something to be desired and that we are raising world changers and possibly the next great preacher of God!  To think that out of our wombs we can raise up children that would bring God glory, they are His reward, and lead others to Christ.  It is a great and worthy call and deserving of all respect!

Even if you are unable to bear children, there are so many children that need to be adopted and loved.  God Bless women everywhere on this Mother's Day!!

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A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love

by Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something

that no on can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . 

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . 

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . 

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.

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Tuesday Funny

Thanks to Candy for today's funny!

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Christian Preacher Arrested for Calling Homosexuality a Sin

Usually what happens in Britain, repeats itself here later on.  This story is startling but I'm not surprised and actually expected things like this to happen.  Notice in the article below, how Britain established this Public Order Act in 1986 to supposedly "tackle violent rioters and football hooligans" and then they go and arrest a preacher who stated homosexuality is a sin - as if he was violating this law.  Do you see a similarity yet?  Does the 'hate' crime bill Obama sent through a few months ago ring a bell?  It will pave the way for them to start arresting ministers for preaching against the sin of homosexuality.  Guess we will find out who the real men of God will be!  Who will stand up for righteousness in this ungodly generation no matter the cost?  One preacher did......

"Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him reciting a number of “sins” referred to in the Bible, including blasphemy, drunkenness and same sex relationships."  Read more here

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Attention Hogs

I was listening to "Biblical Womanhood" audio today and a question was posed to women:

"To what aspect of my person am I drawing attention?"

This is a powerful question!  As humans, we all want attention.  We all may use some way to get it and some even go the extra mile to KEEP it on them.  Either by being loud and boisterous or dressing in ways so they can make sure the attention rests on them and no one else.  You know what I'm talking about ladies - the woman who, when she is in a room has to be the loudest and raises her voice to hopefully draw the attention of others in the room.  Then there is the woman that, even though claims to be a Christian, wears tight, revealing clothing because she wants to tell the world "Look at me!"  There is a name for those that want excessive attention and I won't say it here but rather call them "Attention Hogs".

We should constantly examine ourselves, our motives and intents of the heart.  In our behavior, we should ask ourselves "am I acting this way because I want to draw attention to myself?"  Am I disturbed that others are taking the attention off of myself?  Do I do outlandish things to bring the attention back on myself?

With dress, especially as women, we can get attention if we want to. Clingy, tight fabrics, plunging necklines and slits that go up to your thigh are usually worn by attention hogs.  Its the first thing you would notice about her and she is telling the world to look at her and check out a few things here and there lol.  Not only does she so desperately want attention from the opposite sex, but she is committing a few sins from lasciviousness to being a stumbling block before her brother in the Lord.  All for what!? Attention!

Some use excessive dramatic stories to keep attention on themselves.  They either expand on true stories by exaggerating them or make up stories to draw attention.  Some even go so far to degrade their husbands so they can receive sympathy or gossip about another to lift their own egos up.

Society is so needing of acceptance but yet, they turn to all the wrong sources for it.  Jesus accepts you as you are when you come to Him.  He not only changes you into a brand new creature he also reprograms your mind!  He is always there and will never leave you as long as you are in Him.  You no longer want all the glory and attention to go to yourself but rather to Jesus.  You aren't seeking acceptance in others because pleasing Jesus is your utmost goal.  It is when we get our eyes off of Jesus and on others - that we are led to be an attention hog.  We aren't offended when someone gets blessed or is praised, we rather rejoice with our brother and sister for the wonderful things God is doing for them!  You also don't delight when they go through bad times or fail!

What could cure the attention hog?  Humility.  It's that simple!  Pride is the root of the attention hog disease.  No one should ever stand in the way of a woman driven by attention hog-ism because she will cut down anything that comes between her and the spotlight!  Humbling oneself is the cure all to many ailments, including being an attention hog.  When we are humble, we don't like praise and don't need pats on the back.  Realizing we are nothing without Christ, we don't want the attention on ourselves but on Jesus.

Also, not seeking acceptance from others but rather from Jesus.   Who cares if the world doesn't "accept" you?  Do you find yourself compromising things to get acceptance from others?  When you only care about God accepting you and pleasing Him - you don't need anyone else's approval!

Keeping our homes, raising up Godly children, loving our husbands, having Godly behavior and dress are ways the Christian woman can bring attention to God!  Not from having a career, having someone else raise your kids, disrespecting your husband - as society so readily treats them as dogs - and not from being loud and showy in behavior and dress.  Can you see the contrast here?  Both 'get' attention - but one is seeking attention not for her own self but for Christ!

Bottomline - its all about motive. Do you do what you do for your own attention and glory OR to bring attention and glory to Christ?

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Our Beliefs in a Nutshell

The Basics
- Trinitarian - God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit
- Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not works
- Holy Spirit baptism is subsequent to the new birth and evidenced by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance
- Water baptism is to show an outward reflection of an inward work
- We must live holy lives and continue in the faith
- Our good works show others our walk with God (fruit tells you what kind of tree), not that works make us saved

The Family Unit
- Women's role is to be a keeper at home
- Husband is the leader or head of the home
- Marriage is for 2 to become one in a perfect union and for procreation to raise up children in the Lord (they are HIS reward)
- Keep our children unspotted from the world by training them up in the way they should go - we homeschool to instill these Godly values
- Abortion or devices that mimic it are murder in the sight of the Lord

Finances
- A tenth of ALL our increase goes to God; which has ordained the church to handle as it sees fit for the furtherance of the gospel
- We must be good stewards of all that God gives us - from money to taking care of this earth through recycling, living frugal and not wasting
- Not having a love of money or mindset to get rich but rather being thankful for what we have; contentment
- Trusting in God to supply ALL our needs, he will never fail, no matter the circumstance!

Modesty & Appearance
- CLEAR distinction of the sexes and attire of each: dresses for women and pants for men
- Long Hair is a woman's glory and her covering and sign of submission to her head and for the angels
- Attire must be modest: loose fitting, not revealing or showing of the thighs, etc.
- Showing shamefacedness and being chaste with an unpainted face or other adornments
- Not having masculine behavior as a woman but feminine and men are not to be effiminate but rather masculine - again CLEAR distinction of the sexes which God intended

Worldliness
- Not involving oneself in the entertainments of this world that have the appearance of evil; keep oneself unspotted from this world and its enticements
- Definitely not a part of worldly establishments such as bars, clubs and such like that are dens of sin and all manner of evil
- Loving the world and its fashions and mentality is strictly forbidden in the Bible - we must be separate and "come out from among them"

There is more but this would get pretty long if I included them all - so basically we believe the FULL gospel!  This is also posted on my sidebar.

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