It was a case of human against animal and such a picture of normal life--just when you think life will be a breeze...........go here!
Have a great Monday!
There are voices in my head........
Almost each morning as I get out of bed and pad in my bare feet, down the stairs to my kitchen to get a cup of tea, I hear my father's voice, "Put on your slippers or you will catch a cold!" It was a sort of mantra of his. I am a barefoot sort of person, so I overcome the voice and heed my own wishes.
There are other voices that come into my head that compete for attention. Another from my childhood was, "Blondes have to try harder in life to look pretty because they have no natural coloring and look faded out." Not exactly the voice that should have been feeding my decisions or my self-image.
There are voices in culture that cry out. "You deserve a break." "More clothes, beautiful homes, nice cars, house beautiful, will make you happy." "Experiences for your children are necessary for them to think you are good parents--a disney trip, more toys for Christmas, meals at fast food restaurants." "If you really want your child to get ahead, they have to have the right education--there is one best way--private school, homeschool, classical education, cram, push, expect, drive, pressure." "Finding the right sexual partner will make you happy."
The voices go on and on. Satan is called the Father of lies. His desire is to distract us--to pull us away from God, to disbelieve in His goodness, to deny Him, to be busy so that we don't even have time to hear the truth.
I often us a celtic prayer book in the sleepy mornings to guide me into my day with some scripture. The other day, I read a little poem about John.
"The is John the beloved, who followed Jesus as the way,
embraced the truth and shared his life,
And at the supper of the Lord, leaned closer to Him to hear His words,
For those who lean on Jesus' breast hear the heart of God."
These words stuck in my mind--I want the voice I hear to be that of Jesus--I want to hear the heart of God.
So this week, I went back to John to see what words were flying around in John's head, what voice was informing his heart.
"I am the bread of life." 6:48
"If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink."
"I have loved you with an everlasting love,"
"I am the light of the world.I have come as a light into the world, that everyone who believes me may not remain in darkness."
"If the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
"Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me."
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives to you. Let not your heart be troubled or let it be fearful." Jn. 14:27
"In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world." 16:33
"My kingdom is not of this world."18:36
"Blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe."20:29
So, in leaning closer to hear his voice, I have heard the voice of love, peace, comfort and courage. Whose voice are you listening to?
Children are a blessing, the fruit of the womb is indeed a reward!
Gentle Joel
The other day, I recalled a time of desperation in which I was sitting in a smoky, Austrian coffee shop alone in a dark corner, pouring out my heart to the Lord. "Lord, I am so very grateful for my sweet baby girl that you have given to me. But, Lord, I have not been able to get pregnant again, and I know that you are the only one who can open my womb and grant me my wish. Please, Lord, if it is your will, bless me with a little boy. I am already 34 (like the Lord didn't know!) and I long to have another baby in my arms."
And so, it two months later, I was fully into morning sickness and affirmed in the realization that God was certainly working in my life. Joel was to be my Austrian baby--born in Vienna, the land of music and art and beauty--and so his soul matches this wonderful city. As I was laying in bed at 38 weeks, my water burst at 11:15 p.m. Since Sarah had taken 19 1/2 hours in being birthed, I did not want to go too early to the hospital, and so got up to take a shower and wash my hair--(didn't know what my Austrian room would hold!) and yet, could barely stand up for the pain of my contractions. So, we called my doctor and hurried down the street to the hospital (5 minutes away) and barely checked into my room when Joel popped his head out--barely an hour since my first contraction--and my friend Gwennie just popped her head into the room to say she was there to encourage us and saw Joel pop out into the mid-wife's hands--(It is a law in Austria that midwives must deliver babies--even when the doctor is standing there for medical reasons.)
So, I treasured Joel as an answered prayer and treated him gently, with hands of love, words of life, singing lullabies of beauty and caresses and giggles enjoying the gift of life that had been granted me. And so he continues to become the blessing of God's hand. He was a snuggler, lego man, always humming, very bright and creative, drew thousands of cars and especially jeeps, designed house plans, played guitar, loved computer, peace maker and was the one when we had had a confrontation in our home--heated arguments with children or stressful moments of life--would always come in to say, "Hey, mom. Can I do something for you?" Or "Don't worry, mom, it will all be ok."
Fast forward, through the several year journey of many ups and downs of moving from childhood into the world of expensive adulthood--cars, computers, college, jobs, etc. to the time, when, by God's gracious miracle, Joel got accepted into Berklee college of music. Yet, even amidst the pathway, God was building my youthful son into a man--it was each decision to trust, to work at unfulfilling jobs, to be faithful when no one was watching, where his character was being forged.
So, you can imagine my deep pleasure (and Clay's!) to be able finally to visit him there, in Boston, a couple of weeks ago. Seeing Joel in his brownstone house, downtown Boston, was such a pleasure. How could I have known those 23 years ago, that my grown son. (6'5") would be foraying around this mega city, flourishing and conquering and ruling over the days of his time to become a stellar young man--one who easily makes friends, (he is living in an international home as one of three Americans with house mates from all over the world--the purpose of the house is to reach international students for Christ while they are studying in Boston.)
Joel had so much to overcome in this musical arena, as our lives had not prepared him to know music from a classically trained point of view--yet here he was with a good grade point, working 15 hours a week in the administration office, providing music for his church on Sundays and managing in the streets of Boston and making close friendships with those in his life. And in the midst creating new, breathtaking music.
Now, Joel was leading Clay and me and providing for us in "his" city. He provided a great little cafe, for us while we waited for him to get out of class, he led us through great directions on busy city streets, through the challenging traffic of Boston. He included a great tour of his university, fun tour of Boston, sharing dreams, secrets and ideas and discussions and celebrated one of the best cappucinos I have ever had with one of his friends. A treasured memory of true heart-felt fellowship.
All of this, I could not have imagined, when as a faithful young mommy, I read stories, trained in washing dishes while playing lively music loudly to keep us going and doing mundane chores, corrected attitudes, celebrated life, whispered the secrets of God as He taught me, had late night discussions, believed in dreams--and to see all that God had in mind--in order to bless me, fulfill me in allowing me to be a part of the soul work of this wonderful young man.
Joel, you almost always bring a smile to my face when I just think of you. You are my dear and cherished friend. Thanks for making an unforgettable memory for Dad and me to revisit when we miss you! May the symphonies and songs you write be filled with the greatness and skill of the wonderful soul God has given to you and may you bring light and beauty to people through your music for many years to come. We love you and miss you today!
His musichere
His email here
Winter Wonderland a little too early--and the best fall cake!
The fourth snow so far this year!
One year we had 4 legitimate blizzards. The difference in a big snow and a blizzard are the winds blowing the snow and causing white outs. Somehow, I don't know for sure, but this felt like a blizzard. Time to get out Wives and Daughters, the Old Pride and Prejudice, Victoria and Albert and some of our other old English sagas that last forever--to wile away the long nights after you have been inside for 2 days. We also make our favorite goodies, so snow fall is also fattening. Sarah whips up a great dark chocolate hot chocolate which we are sometimes known to drink with whip cream and marshmallows. Too much fun on occasion is not necessarily evil!
Nobby Apple Cake--or Squirrel Nutkin Apple Cake as Joy so named it this week.
2 cups sugar (or Agave syrup in smaller amounts--you must decide!)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
2 cups flour (1/2 cup extra for high altitude)
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups grated apples
1 cup chopped nuts (I add them to the top of those who want them.)
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and add into wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Fold in apples and nuts, bake in greased floured bundt pan for 40-45 minutes at 350.
Drizzle powered sugar glaze over cooled cake and serve.
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
dash salt
warm water to thin
2 t. melted butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Mix glaze ingredients, add water as needed to thin, add more sugar if too thin. Drizzle over cake.
Tastes best when warm or hot!
Another look at the snow--Sarah's car totally snowed in! The snow shoveling started before sunrise!
Trying to get a pathway on the sidewalk to our house so our mom's Bible study can walk up to the door!
Mom Heart Conferences 2010
Mom Heart Conferences are especially designed to encourage, inspire and instruct moms in their strategic call to build a godly inheritance in their homes by learning to love and disciple their children. We have designed a two-day hotel conference and getaway designed especially for Christian mothers, now in its 12th year of ministering to moms. When the cultural ground is shifting, there's no better time to renew your heart for a new start with God. Sally will strenthen and encourage your heart to rise to the task of raising wholehearted children for Christ at home. Julie Hiramine and Sarah Clarkson will share heart-renewing messages, and a special Panel Discussion will discuss the Mom Heart Ministry vision. The conference includes practical workshops, inspirational worship, a seated banquet luncheon, book tables, and more.
Did you know that the Greek word for “renew” means to make something new in the midst of other things? It doesn’t mean to start over, but to keep going, only with a newness of purpose. It means to add newness to what is already there. I can’t imagine a better topic for this year than “You…Renewed!” I know it’s right where I am as mom in ministry, and I believe it’s right where most of you are as mothers in a changing culture. I believe we all need to be renewed by the Spirit for the road ahead.
Since 1998, this has been the WholeHearted Mother Conference. But this year, it is something new…it is now a Mom Heart Conference. This year marks the official start of a new ministry to mothers to encourage them to renew their hearts for biblical motherhood. I’m not starting over in my ministry to moms, but I’m keeping going with a renewed purpose and vision. My beliefs and convictions have not changed, but the culture around me is changing by the day. In the midst of that change, Mom Heart Ministry is a renewed vision of my spirit for helping mothers.
Every day, I hear from precious women all around the world who know the Lord, and are committed to serving him in their homes, but they are weary in the work of being a mother. They have no intention of giving up, but they need something more to keep going. I hear in their voices and words the need for a renewed sense of the Lord’s work in the midst of their lives. If that’s you, I want you to know this year that God wants you to be renewed in him…he wants to do “new things” (Isaiah 42:9) in and through you. He wants “You…Renewed!” in your habits, heart, home, and hope. That’s my message to you this year.
As I wrote my new book, Dancing with My Father, God worked in my heart a renewed understanding of his abundant joy. Everything my heavenly Father has done is so I could dance with joy in his presence. What I learned is a perfect complement to this year’s conference theme because it is about being renewed in that joy. What I share in the book is the ground in which the messages I want to share with you this year are grown. I am so looking forward to being with you and to filling your heart and spirit with the life-renewing truths of God’s word. I am praying that this weekend will be a time when you will be refreshed, restored, and above all else, renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope you will plan to join me and my friends. You are in my heart!
Sally Clarkson
For registration information, go to the following: Mom Heart Conferences 2010
or call 888-719-4466 888-719-4466
Be not afraid!
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
When evil-doers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though a war arise against me,
In spite of this, I shall be confident......
For in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent, He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock."
When Joy was a little girl, we had a little odd closet at the entrance of our bedroom. It was a small, angular closet that was a bit awkward and wasn't suitable to hold much. But Joy found a use for it. She made it her little hiding place. We hung a battery operated lantern on a little nail, and she would take all of her stuffed animals inside and her beloved blanket and hide and pretend and play for hours. When I read this verse--In the day of trouble, he will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of his tent, He will hide me--I thought about this wonderful hiding place of Joy's--a safe place from the outside world, where no one could find her, hidden in our room, and safe from all the visitors who came to our house.
It seems that I am surrounded with women who are in the midst of very difficult circumstances--hurting marriages, rebellious children; family members who are very ill; economic crisis; broken relationships and misunderstandings. I so wish I could somehow make all of these difficulties go away as I know the deep struggles so many are experiencing and the dark times of life. But, I think somewhere over the years, I realized that I had never really had a realistic picture of just what it meant to live in a fallen world. This is the broken place--heaven is the place where we will see justice and wrongs being righted and healing and deep, bubbling-over happiness and freedom from the burdens of life.
The other day, I was talking with my children and they said,"You know, it seems like people think that our family is so sweet and perfect and that it is easy for us to be good and make right choices and that things have been easier for us than for their families. But I wish they could see that the beauty of our lives and the messages we all talk about is as a result of mounting up over overwhelming difficulties, having faith in the darkest of times, putting up with impossible circumstances and difficult relationships. We have had to light candles of faith amidst the darkness and inconsistencies of our lives.I hate having people just think we are naturally sweet and good--they don't know the journey of faith it has cost us."
If you live long enough, your older children will share their perspectives and sometimes they hit the head of the nail in such a way that it gives clarity to where you are. I think that sometimes it is hard for children to bear the opinions of so many when their parents are a little bit more in the limelight. Those of us who are called by the Lord to write about ideals and to live boldly by faith often do so out of a desire to move in that direction and to live by faith that what we read in scripture is true--but not because we don't struggle and suffer and face fear.
I have realized that at heart, I am a very fearful person. So often, I awaken at night after a few hours of sleep, and the first feeling when I awaken is fear--fear of the future, of finances, for my children, and so on. Yet, I am learning so much, even now, about the importance of mounting up over fear by faith.
As I study the stories of scripture, it was when people looked at their obstacles in life--the storms, the giants, the battles, that they became fearful and useless and defeated. But when they looked at God, instead of their fears, they became strong and conquered in their battles and storms and difficulties. Peter saw Jesus walking on water and started out toward him and found himself walking on water! But when he turned his eyes to the waves, he became scared and began to fall.
Where are your eyes? On Jesus? or on the storm? Hebrews 12:2-3 says for us, "fixing our eyes on Jesus--(looking to Him, trusting in Him, depending on Him!), who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him (ponder Him, understand His life, His sufferings) who has endured such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."
The only way I have found peace and assurance and confidence in life to keep going, one step at a time, was to let Him hide me in the corners of his tent--to let Him fight my battles, to submit to His will, to say, "you be my defender and provider, because I am your child." Fixing the eyes of my heart on Him, on His face, on His integrity of character and strength, is the only way I could live by faith and not by fear.
It is in resting in His presence and strength and power and goodness, that we will find our hearts at rest. It is only when we patiently face the storms with, "This is too big for me to handle, but I am asking you to handle it for me," and then learning to wait--and sometimes wait and wait and wait, that we will see His purpose, ways and yes, salvation from our storms. I wish I had learned at a much earlier age not to struggle so and worry and fret--it did me no good, and now I see how very faithful God was--He just didn't always do it my way!
It took David almost 25 years after he was anointed to be king, until he was made king over all of Israel, yet God was faithful to His promises. May our wonderful, real, present Lord give you the grace today, to hide in the secret place His shelter, like Joy did as an innocent child in the secret places of our own home--to look at Him and keep your eyes on Him, as he delivers you in your time of trouble and lifts you up in your weariness.
As I grow older, I am so very aware that He has been with us, He has always heard my prayers and He lovingly works and wants us to, like David, see His light and salvation. Grace to you in the midst of your lives. May His beauty and strength lift you up today.
My heart is so full of His joy and I can't wait to share what I have been learning more fully at the conferences. He is good and He wants us to hold fast. Grace and peace.
For prayer, you can write me at Sally@wholeheart.org and I will lift you up before Him.
Ranting about technology--do something real today!
Just a short post today. However, it is a connection to my own daughter, Sarah's most recent blog entry. She is a prophet of sorts to her generation. She embodies beauty in her life and in her words to be a remembrance, a witness to the good and beautiful that God created and that culture has lost. We were both ranting and raving this morning about our own issues--both of us fired up to be more faithful to write, to reach out and to live such a life that others may see the Life of Him and His reality in the way we live! May you live idealistically today and never be tempted to throw away the incarnation of Him in your life, home, work.
Onward to my snowy day. I have some messages to pass on to Joy's soul!
Thanks for those who left comments on Sarah's--she was greatly encouraged. Her artist heart was heartened!
You Renewed! Mom Heart Conferences 2010
Mom Conference Dallas 2009--Join me and hundreds of other moms like you for this years conference!
"And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind," Ephesians 4:23
I am so excited as Clay and I prepare and plan for this year's mom's conferences. What a privilege it has been to have a legacy of 12 years with thousands of moms who have attended our conferences with us from all over the world. Together, we have been encouraged, trained, inspired to follow God's design in loving our children in our homes and building a godly generation, who will take God's truth and messages into adulthood for their generation. It has been amazing to me to see and experience the life of Christ in our midst.
But this year, we are very excited to see what the Lord will do. We are praying that He will renew and refresh moms in the midst of a challenging time in history. We have been born for such a time as this. How then can we keep our faith fresh, our hearts hopeful and our minds filled with truth and courage? By constantly renewing our hearts and thoughts in the truth of God's word and by dwelling in the reality of His presence and strength. I believe that if the mothers in this country are anchored and rooted in Christ and full of faith, they will be those who bring stability to the whole country. If homes are a place of security, strength, truth and faith, our country will follow suit. This strength comes from constantly being renewed in Christ.
Did you know that the Greek word for “renew” means to make something new in the midst of other things? It doesn’t mean to start over, but to keep going, only with a newness of purpose. It means to add newness to what is already there. I can’t imagine a better topic for this year than “You…Renewed!” I know it’s right where I am as mom in ministry, and I believe it’s right where most of you are as mothers in a changing culture. I believe we all need to be renewed by the Spirit for the road ahead.
Since 1998, this has been the WholeHearted Mother Conference. But this year, it is something new…it is now the MOM HEART CONFERENCE This year's conference marks the official start of a renewed ministry to mothers to encourage them to live to the beat of God's heart for motherhood. I’m not starting over in my ministry to moms, but I’m keeping going with a renewed purpose and vision. My beliefs and convictions have not changed, but the culture around me is changing by the day, and needs a new word from God about biblical motherhood. In the midst of that change, Mom Heart Ministry is a renewed vision of my spirit for helping moms refocus on the God who created mothers in the beginning.
Every day, I hear from precious women all around the world who know the Lord, and are committed to serving him in their homes, but they are weary in the work of being a mother. They have lost their way. They have no intention of giving up, but they need something more to keep going. I hear in their voices and words the need for a renewed sense of the Lord’s work in the midst of their lives. If that’s you, I want you to know this year that God wants you to be renewed in him…he wants to do “new things” (Isaiah 42:9) in and through you. He wants “You…Renewed!” in your habits, heart, home, and hope. That’s my message for you this year.
As I wrote my new book, Dancing with My Father, God worked in my heart a renewed understanding of his abundant joy. Everything my heavenly Father has done is so I can dance with joy in his presence. What I learned as I wrote is a perfect complement to this year’s conference theme because renewal is all about finding the joy of God again. What I share in the book is the ground in which the messages I want to share with you this year are grown. I am so looking forward to being with you and to filling your heart and spirit with the life-renewing truths of God’s word. I am praying that this weekend will be a time when you will be refreshed, restored, and above all else, renewed in the power of the Holy Spirit. I hope you will plan to join me and my friends for our very first Mom Heart Conference. You are in my heart, and God's heart!
It is our desire to get these messages into the hands of women all over the world. We can only write and speak the messages--we need your help to help us reach more moms who need encouragement!
GIVE AWAY! FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS, FREE BOOKS!
Each year, we are amazed at how many new moms attend our conferences. We would love to reach even more moms this year. . We will be doing a drawing at the end of each month to give away 2 free conference registrations to all of those who have put an announcement about our conferences on their blog, or advertised in their support group newsletter or in some way sent out a message to their list of friends or given out flyers to their Bible studies or groups. But we realized that many of you will not be able to come to a conference. So, if you are willing to advertise for us, and cannot attend the conference, instead of a conference registration, you may pick 4 of our books from the following: my new book, Dancing With My Father, Sarah's new book--Read for the Heart; Mission of Motherhood, Ministry of Motherhood, Seasons of a Mother's Heart; The Mom Walk; and The 24 Family Ways. So if you are the winner, you may either get a free registration or 4 of our books.
In order to be included in the drawing, you must put an announcement on your blog or newsletter or facebook or website, etc. and then send a notice of it to Jennice .(PUTTING OUR BLOG AD DRESS IN YOUR SIDEBAR IS NOT THE SAME AS PUTTING A SMALL POST OR MENTIONING IT ON YOUR BLOG--IT MUST BE MENTIONED AND ANNOUNCED IN AN ARTICLE OR POST OR NEWSLETTER TO COUNT AS AN ENTRY.) Each end of month, (November, December, January) we will pick out two winners from those who write to Jennice, our secretary. Every month that you advertise, you can be reentered in the drawing for the next month--as long as you notify our secretary.
You may also put an announcement on your blog or website with a link to this post or www.wholeheart.org If you would like to just copy an announcement, or retrieve a flyer, go
WHAT TO EXPECT
Warm Fellowship with Mothers -- You need to be with other wholehearted mothers like you! You need to be able to laugh and cry and shout and sigh about the same experiences. At this conference, you’ll be refreshed, revived and restored by being around other moms who want the same thing for their children that you want for yours. Come enjoy the pleasure of being away in a lovely hotel for the weekend with friends, and be spiritually encouraged, too. It’s a getaway just for you. Join us!
Leadership training for those interested in starting Mom Heart support groups.
Spiritually Encouraging Program -- The weekend away for a Mom Heart Conference is also filled with inspirational worship.
Friday afternoon seminars will offer practical help and encouragement for mothering and parenting skills.
There will also be a Whole Heart booktable filled with carefully selected titles to encourage and equip you as a mother.
Enjoy a lovely luncheon together with your friends!
Clay has also decided to do an early-bird discount registration fee if you register early. Be sure to take advantage of this offer.
Special Early Registion: $79 thru November 30
Early Registration, $89 thru December 31
Regular Registration, $99 after December 31
For more information and to register go here Click on the city of your choice and you will find information folders at the top with more information. For a page you can print out for your own group, go to conference resources and you can download it for printing out copies. (You may also call for more information at
888-488-4466 to talk to someone at our office.)
I hope many of you will be able to join us! It would be fun to receive some comments from moms who have attended in the past. Looking so forward to seeing so many of you again!
"Kindred Spirits are not as rare as I used to think." Anne of Green Gables
Brenda Nuland and me after a wonderful Sunday afternoon drive in Sturbridge in the light snowfall, on a Sunday afternoon.
Sometime a couple of years ago, when I was just barely getting the hang of this blog thing, I ran across a blog called coffeeteabooksandme
I was not only attracted by the wonderful name (I loved all of the stuff she put in her name.), but I found that when I read the lovely posts, I felt the comfort of being in a cozy, warm, interesting, stimulating company of a truly like-minded friend. Somehow, and I don't really know how, we began corresponding from time to time. Seems we are in many ways clones of each other. So many similar experiences with our children, moves, marriage, homeschooling, favorite books and so much more. So, Brenda became a dear friend over cyber space. She is always life-giving and quite encouraging every time she would write to me. I considered her an angel from the Lord to keep my spirits up in the midst.
Meanwhile, when Joel and Sarah first drove to Boston for Joel to try out for Berklee College of Music, her wonderful daughter, also a blog friend, asked if Joel and Sarah would live a real home to stay in on their long trip as they lived in Sturbridge. And so, our friendship with Stephanie, their daughter, began as she and Sarah became fast friends and found in each other kindred souls and favorite books, movies, an so much more. 
Wonderful Stephanie, sweet Sarah and Life-giving Brenda
Fast forward a couple of years when last week, I was to speak at a the Iron Sharpens Iron conference in Connecticut. Stephanie schemed a wonderful plan for her mom to drive up from Indiana, and Sarah to fly in, all attending the conference and us to come by their home on the way to see Joel. So, Brenda and I finally got to meet at Stephanie's charming home. Brenda and I seemed like long, lost friends and definitely did not have enough time to talk, as we had a million years to catch up on!
We wiled away the hours feasting on some of the best food I have had in a long time and sharing thoughts, ideas, favorite things, opinions and all the other good stuff friendships are made of! Of course, when we first arrived, Stephanie had made the most wonderful scones and treated us to strong English tea. It was followed by- bubbling hot potato soup, fresh bread, salad and for desert, one of our favorites--Sticky Toffee Pudding--and old English favorite. We learned to love this when we were visiting Prince Edward Island and first ate it at the very hotel where Anne recited the Highwaymen in the movie Anne of Green Gables.
A few months ago, Stephanie traveled to England with her husband and visited the archives of Charlotte Mason. She also took some great pictures and posted a wonderful recipe that she discovered for Sticky Toffee Pudding and so I share that with you today, so that you can bring a little of English fare into your home on a cold, autumn day! It is served steaming hot, with cream on top, so it is delectable on a cold day with a fire crackling, and candles lit with a rousing story read, and steaming cups of robust tea. I share with you her delightful blog here
(Cottagethoughts@wordpress.com)
Here are her lovely pictures and this great recipe:
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 t. baking powder
2 cups pitted dates, chopped very fine (I use 24-30 dates)
2 1/2 cups boiling water
2 t. baking soda
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups evaporated cane juice (or 1 c. dark brown sugar and 1 1/2 cups white sugar)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 T. pure vanilla extract
Sauce:
2 cups (1 lb. package) of unsalted butter
1 pint heavy cream
4 cups packed dark brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a large glass or metal baking dish (I don’t even own a 9×13 anymore…I think it’s 10×14? Or you can break this up into smaller dishes to share or freeze). Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan and then add the dates and baking soda; set aside. In an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until blended. Gradually add flour mixture. Fold in date mixture until blended. Pour cake mixture into prepared baking dish(es). Bake until set and firm on top (approximately 40 minutes for one large cake).
Sauce: Combine butter, cream and sugar in a medium size heavy gauge saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil gently over medium low heat until mixture is thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring contantly. Preheat broiler. Poke holes into the cake (I poke a lot! We want that sauce to get way in there!). Pour about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce over the pudding, spreading evenly. Place under broiler until top is bubbly 1-3 minutes.
Serve warm with extra sauce drizzled over, with ice cream or in a bath of heavy cream. To heat up an individual portion after the pudding has been refrigerated, microwave from 30-60 seconds, until sauce is runny. Yummmm........!!! (Thanks, Stephanie!)
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We stayed up too late, sharing secrets and thoughts and hearts and prayers, and I truly was blessed by the generous hospitality, love expressed and grace of friends sharing together. Then, Joel, Clay, Sarah and I were given the master bedroom with a great air mattress and great bed, and we all giggled and talked and shared the few moments we had together as a part of our family, before falling fast asleep.
Alas, 24 hours was too short of time to fit everything in, but we all had to go our separate ways--Brenda and her husband to Indiana and Clay and me, on to see Joel in Boston. (Sarah had one more day to enjoy.) Stephanie sent us off with warm quiche for breakfast and a basket of goodies she had picked out just for us.
The whole experience just affirmed to me once more, that some of my best friends and close spiritual relationships have been jewels discovered in the midst of ministry, traveling and fun. But, it took Stephanie initiating the idea to create such a great memory! Thanks for having a great idea Stephanie! And thanks to Brenda for making such a long trip just to have some time to meet face to face. I have been truly blessed!
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If you want to register for the mom's conferences, you can put your curser on Mom Heart Conferences at the top of the page. It will take you right to the place of the conference of your choice. Be sure to look at the tabs at the top for more information! Can't wait to see all of you who will be able to come!
The Back Story: Fox and Friends
For the clip, connect here
Last Friday, I was laying on our bed in my gown in the hotel room, as I had a little respiratory virus and was trying to feel better before going to set up our books with Clay at the church we would be speaking at the next day. He was on the couch of our hotel room.
"I think someone just sent us a spam email--I'm sure it must not be for real. It is just a couple of sentences that say, "I found your book and I was wondering if you knew of anyone in the NYC area who could speak on a debate about women being unhappy having to work vs. staying home with the children." And it was signed a name, with Fox and Friends producer behind her name and a phone number. But it doesn't have any kind of address or letterhead or anything to make me think this is real. Why don't you call this number and see who answers."
So I rolled over and called the number. The person on the other end hung up. I called back again and they did not even answer. So I emailed back, just to be faithful. Within a couple of minutes, I got a call. The person on the phone said she was a producer of the Saturday morning show. When she found out that I was in Hartford, she said, "Could you rearrange your speaking engagement for the afternoon and be here tomorrow morning at 8:15 to be on live?"
I told her I would try to arrange it and then she said she would ask her assistant Alan to call me back with details. Our wonderful hosts at the Iron Sharpens Iron conference willingly rearranged our schedule and
so I emailed back my reply and numbers to the station and said yes, and still thought it was some kind of a dream. By 7:30 that evening, 6 hours later, I had not heard anything, so I assumed it was off--or that they had found out I was just a normal mom! And we were just getting ready to put the schedule back the way it was when I got a call from the assistant who said, "I will email you soon with the details. A town car will pick you up tomorrow morning just before 6 a.m. and drive you to the news station in NYC. They will bring you back immediately to your speaking engagement after it is all over as quickly as possible so that you can speak."
So, Clay and I got up at 4:30, got ready and met a hired driver who whisked us away on our two hour drive. When we arrived in NYC, he let us out and showed us the Fox building. We entered to find a security desk where we had to show our id's and go through the screening machines, and then we were met by a young assistant, around 20, who was to show us up to the waiting room.
Mike Huckabee--delightful! talked about publishers.
The waiting room was a very small, plain, undecorated room where several young men sat at computers, with their backs to us, and typed away. We sat down on couches to wait and had no idea what to expect. A few minutes later, I said, "I sure wish there was a cup of coffee or tea for my throat." So I ventured across the hall to look, and found a room with some coffee dispensers and hot water, with a man standing filling his cup. As I filled my cup, he turned around, and it was Mike Huckabee! I greeted him and we began a conversation and he came into the waiting room with Clay and me and chatted for a few minutes about publishers and writing books and such! What a very gracious, easy-going man he was. Such a serendipitous moment.
The "green room" where we were supposed to wait. The editor of the
magazine "Bust".
Next a dad and his ice-hockey playing son entered the room, who were to be on before us. Sweet and proud. Finally, a young looking woman with large glasses and leggings came into the room and sat on the other side of the room and sat down. Eventually, she moved over to be with us and we found out that she and her friend had started the magazine for women 15 years before, that was primarily for 20 year olds to appeal to their felt needs and desires. She was the "feminist" who was supposed to be on the opposing side of my stance.
We had a really nice time talking and she said something like,"I think they really think that there is going to be animosity between us and lots of sparks, but I don't have any big issue with moms who stay at home. We are just trying to get our magazine going and make it work and I still really care about my children and spend as much time with them as I can, and really want to be a good mom."
Then, a young man, (college student interning), said, "Sally, would you come to make-up now before it gets crowded."
Finally, I was sent to get my microphone, and then asked to stand in the hall to wait for our "moment." There, Tanya Tucker finished her song and passed next to me (hall way barely wide enough for us to pass by each other.) "Boy, that was a long set. I am glad it was over," she said as she walked through the hall.
Next Lis Wiehl and I were standing next to each other just before we walked onto the set. She was very sweet, personable, and spent most of the chatting time talking about her children. It was her son's 17th birthday and he was also taking the psat's. So, the three of us did have a small opportunity to chat quietly for about a minute before walking in to do the segment.
The set with 3 other sweet women. Very small, tucked into the corner, with cameras and camera men just in front of us--very, very small area.
There was no prep, no instructions as to which camera to look into, or knowing ahead of time what questions would be asked, as I have done in other interviews. I just sailed in by faith and hoped for the best. I was blessed to know so many were praying. So many of you have been so very encouraging to write and bless me, as it is a very vulnerable position to be in--and of course I was nervous, hoping I would not blow it too badly. But, if God opens a door, walking through it as faithfully as I can is my desire. I learned so much about this in China.
I do have just a few thoughts about the subject of stay at home mom verses working mom. The reality in our culture today is that 70 % of moms work in some way or another. Many have to work. Many are single moms and feel constantly stretched all the time. Because of the commitment that Clay and I made together many years ago to work together in family ministry to reach as many moms, dads and parents with the Biblical design of home, means that I have to work, together with Clay, or we would not pay our bills. The Lord, Clay and my children come first, so for me it has meant working and writing, while tucking my book projects in amidst the small moments of time I could sneak off to write down a thought. It also meant bringing our children along with us in ministry and seeking to give them a sense of their calling to also reach their world--and to give them a taste of helping people.
But every woman's puzzle and story is different. Each of us will have to answer to God someday about how we faithfully lived and directed the stewardship of our children's lives. I would love to see those in media and in journalism validate and understand the important work and beautiful life so many moms are creating by staying at home. I would love to see the Lord champion our cause, so that it can at least be one of the choices women hear about instead of not seeing this choice of staying home with our children as validated at all.
So many have been fooled to think that the providing of things for their children and experiences for them is a higher priority than giving their time and personal attention.
So, if this is the culture that God has born me into--one in which families are falling apart and in which babies and children are being neglected and media is determining their values--and consequently the soul of the young generation has been violated and abused.
Then I have to say, "Jesus, how do you see these precious ones?" Jesus looked out on the multitudes and had compassion on them, because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, lost without guidance. So I feel that God wants me to have a heart for those less fortunate than me, who don't really understand the consequences their decisions will have on their children. I feel God has asked Clay and me to reach as many mothers with our messages as possible--for the sake of the children and for the sake of pleasing our Lord. So many of you give our books away to moms, leaders, and others and this helps so much for us to get the messages into the hands of those who long for direction. Thanks for helping us!
Our lives need to be winsome, not harsh; life-giving and inviting--not condemning; serving, loving and reaching out--not blockaded and fearful and hateful.
God will call some to voice and articulate our cause, but most of us are called to minister to our neighbor or friend or family member--in gentleness, humility and love.
It is an issue of following God's call and pattern to be life-givers, civilizers in our home, loving and serving God and following His priorities in all areas of our lives. To model His truth and reality. And then, to gently reach out to those who love their children and yet do not know any better. We will not win by separating ourselves in a Pharisaical attitude and stance. It is not my desire to alienate anyone in culture. It is my desire to help redeem and restore.
I do think that so many moms just have never had a Biblical model or instruction in the area of loving and discipling their children at home. The older I get, the more blessed I feel that somehow, God allowed me to know what I know and do what I do. It was His grace and love that showed me the importance of my role, nothing of my own merit. I did have to make a faith choice, but it was His light that led me there.
My desire in my writing is to lift up the ideal of motherhood so that wherever anyone is on that path, they can get on the path toward ideals and move ahead one step at a time. Will there be critics and people who react to our messages and who throw darts at us to discourage us? Yes! That is part of the battle. I often get scathing letters from those who disagree with my philosophy. But again, I look to Jesus, "who though being reviled, did not revile in return, but kept trusting himself to God who judges righteously."
If Jesus did not revile, we must not revile. It is a part of the battle--to be criticized, feel inadequate, tempted to resentment and to feel hurt. But as we keep our eyes on Jesus, and pray, "Help me to have places I may teach truth and show love and have compassion for your kingdom's sake." He is our audience and He is able, easily to be pleased, because all He asks for is our heart of love and faithfulness.
God's grace to each of you today.
So happy to be home today and picking up the pieces. Glad to have been with very wonderful friends and our wonderful Joel in Boston. More about that soon.
You can now register for the mom's conferences online at wholeheart.org More information about our speakers, music. luncheon and mom heart leadership training soon!