Thankful Giving--the action to Thanksgiving!

I am so very blessed to have many friends who are wonderful cooks. Judy Purcell is one of them. I know you will love her perspective and recipes as much as I do! I asked her to let us in on some thoughts and great recipes. You will enjoy-- be blessed!

I love to eat as much as I love to cook, so food-centric celebrations like Thanksgiving are a real treat. Browsing magazines and food blogs for the latest tips, or rewriting the menu to reward each guest at our table, is a favorite pastime. It makes my soul sing to share delicious food in the midst of conversation and laughter with family and friends. As much as I relish preparing the Thanksgiving table, it is recounting back to God the abundant blessings in my life which prepares my heart for thankful-giving. Not just gratitude for what I hold in my hand, but the joy of being able to share it with someone else.

Recently, I looked up the definition of thanksgiving. The word that jumped out was act—the act of giving thanks—which goes beyond expressing thankfulness merely with words. It implies action.

According to Merriam-Webster, thanksgiving is:

1: the act of giving thanks 2: a prayer expressing gratitude 3: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness"

This resonates with me because I know that personally, I am more likely to give when I am thankful, and more likely to be thankful when I give.

Sharing our abundance is a tangible act of expressing gratitude for all we have. As Thanksgiving Day approaches, may our thankfulness show in our giving, which transcends a single day and reaches into every day thereafter.

Practical ways to make giving an act of thanks this Thanksgiving ...

Charity begins at home so as you host and prepare the turkey this year, consider making two. Two? Yes, one to cook for your table, and one the day *before* Thanksgiving so leftovers can be prepared in advance. As nice as it is to be a guest at Thanksgiving, it can be disappointing to not have the benefit of a turkey sandwich the next day. So before anyone even arrives, fill disposable containers with turkey and anything else you could make an extra batch of, so you can send some home with your guests. They will be delighted, leaving you free to debone the other turkey at your leisure. No need to stop there, send along the leftovers of their favorites, like pie, rolls, and potatoes too. An invitation to a neighbor, co-worker, or friend who would otherwise be alone meets a need far beyond a good meal. We once hosted a father and family while his wife was serving in the military overseas. It was fun to have young children at the table again and his relief not having to manage the holiday alone was apparent. Just about every table has room for one more. Local outreach organizations provide easy ways to give and serve. Though their need for volunteers and donations are year-round, they always appreciate the extra hands during the holidays. If you are not sure who is serving the needy in your city, simply type, "serving the needy in _______" (insert the name of your city) into a Google search and check out the list of options. Planning to shop the sales on Black Friday? The paper promises to be as bloated with ads as we are with turkey dinner. As you browse the aisles, consider grabbing a bargain for Operation Christmas Child or Toys for Tots. Go even further, invite your dinner guests to pitch-in and make it a group project.

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them." —C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

It just wouldn’t be right to talk about Thanksgiving without sharing a favorite family recipe. May your holidays be filled with thankful giving!

Savory Sweet Potatoes by Judy at Savoring Today

• 3 large sweet potatoes -- unpeeled, scrubbed & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil -- melted
• dried rosemary -- coarsely chopped or ground
• dried thyme
• dried oregano
• sea salt and pepper
• 8 ounces bacon -- cut into 1/4 inch strips (Coleman is a good nitrite-free brand)
• 6 ounces blue cheese -- crumbled

Preheat oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with coconut oil until well coated, then sprinkle each herb, salt, and pepper over potatoes and toss until evenly coated--the amount will be a matter of preference. Arrange in a single layer on the lined baking sheet without crowding individual pieces so sweet potatoes brown evenly. Bake for about 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are golden brown. (Check potatoes midway through and stir to promote even browning.) Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and set aside until potatoes are done. Once the potatoes are done, remove from the oven and transfer to a baking dish so that cubes form a one inch layer in the bottom of the dish and are very close together. Sprinkle a layer of blue cheese over the potatoes and then a layer of crumbled bacon. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve hot.

Judy is a writer and home cook with a passion for good food and healthy living. She believes great food goes beyond flavor—it fosters health and relationship, beginning with her own family. She shares their love of food through her blog, Savoring Today, which is dedicated to connecting family and friends with healthy, delicious recipes. You can connect with Judy at www.savoringtoday.com or on her Face Book page at www.facebook.com/SavoringToday

Mentoring Monday Clothing Yourself properly for the Holidays!

Look at this sweet mama--while everyone is eating and celebrating, she is attending to her children--

and they are so very blessed because they had a mama who loved them and prepared herself with a mind and heart

to serve, love and care for them.

Even as we clothe our homes with beauty and decoration, we cook and prepare our favorite tastes and treats to prepare for a family feast, and we have all sorts of expectations building up,

we must also prepare our hearts, yield our expectations to the Lord, and become a facilitator of love, patience, peace and grace in our homes through out all of the moments.

^"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.   And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

Colossians 3:12-15a

Messes, tiny disasters, upsets are just a natural part of life in a home where there are lots of people and family rollicking around. But the mama who has prepared for all possibilities and has decided ahead of time to manage these moments with grace, light and bringing peace, will have a more joyful and blessed holiday with all of her loved ones. Enjoy your week!

We are the sorter-outers of the Tangles of Our Children's Hearts

 

Twice now she said, “You never listen to me.”

Never?

Never is big and I’m pretty sure “never” is not accurate, but to her, it is.

To her, it’s never.

My insides hurt and I want to say, “Yes I do!” I want to defend myself. But what is the good in that? So I tell her I will listen. And I tell her I try and always listen and be fair and really hear what she’s saying, but sometimes I don’t do it right. I ask her to come to me. “You feel offended, and that I’m treating you unfairly?” “Yes, and I’m sad and angry and I don’t know why.” “Okay, let’s talk about that.”

She talks, I hear and take in, and I try to unravel the web of bitterness in a little ones heart. Strand by strand I gently pull until we get a little closer to the knot being undone. I can see the knot, but I know that I can’t get it out, it’s too tight. I ask her if we can pray. She says yes. We go to the only One who can untangle our mess, all the mess that is of  hurt, self-righteousness, anger, and un-forgiveness.

Amen.

Excellent article today by Sarah Mae. Read the rest of the story here -----but......

Unraveling the knots in our children's hearts takes time, patience, focus and a humble heart. It takes the heart of Jesus in a mama who will live out His reality in the moment. Will you take the time or allow the knots to get more and more tangled until a web of anger is built? The gift of a peaceful heart without guilt is a rare and  generous gift a mother can give to her children.

Playing the part of provider to bring life and beauty!

Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars,She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine, She has set her table, ..., "Come eat of my food.  And drink of my wine I have mixed. For sake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:1-6

I am getting mommy excited about next Tuesday. My youngest, precious one, Joy, will come home from her first semester at college. She has sustained the 3 months alone  without one visit and we have been constantly chatting and planning and sharing hearts so much that it feels like the last few days before you give birth--just biding your time until the momentous occasion comes. As a result, I have been looking at some old pictures and drawing up old memories and here is one of them--our fall apple picking and putting away for the winter. We missed it this year with Joy gone and us traveling too much.

But I had so much fun remembering, I thought I would share our memory with you! Getting into the mood for cooking a feast for all of my children and special others who will be with us!

Below a story of life from 4 years ago--hard to believe the time flew!

Yesterday we had a great sermon--one of four--which addressed the reality of heaven. I loved hearing that in heaven we will eat and drink and feast and have gardens and rivers and beauty and celebration and singing--only it will be in a perfect and wonderful place--called paradise--even more wonderful than anything we can see or imagine here.

I like knowing these things. It makes me think that when I prepare these thousands of meals that I am providing a little heaven on earth--an imperfect picture here of what real celebration and living will be there! I think that one of my delights over the years, which has grown as I have become better at it, is providing life-giving meals and memories for my family. Wisdom (I love it that wisdom is personified as a woman!) sets her table and provides wonderful food and in the midst of serving, calls those she serves to wisdom, understanding, love and righteousness. I am convinced that we have done more discipleship over meals than any other way!

As the old saying goes, "the  way to a man's heart is through his stomach", but I think there is some truth to it, only applying to all people! Even Wisdom knew as much. Though there are so many things that reach and touch our hearts, I do think that the dining table can become the place of so much spirituality. At least it has for our family. Clay and I talk to our sons Joel and Nathan several times a week. Though both are thriving where they are, both have mentioned often missing our family. And when I asked them what they missed the most, it is as Joel and Nate said, "It's the great food and the meal time discussions that I miss the most--just being together like that as a family."

I would have to agree that these moments (and there are thousands of them) have held celebrations, devotions, discussions, funny stories, jokes, laughter, songs, correction (How many times have I told you--use a fork--not your fingers!) and sharing our hearts together.

God designed us to eat, but the time spent eating in warm fellowship, giving words of love and affirmation, challenging ideas with a meaningful quote to discuss or bringing and insightful article to the table to read together makes the moments that we spend in delightful fellowship feasting, a discipleship moment!

Just thought I would include a recipe from a most recent Sunday breakfast meal. Though we try to have devotions as a family, as our children became older and had their own cars, jobs and activities, we could barely get everyone together at once, but we could almost always get everyone together on Sunday morning. So many years ago, even when they were young, I got up early to make a great Sunday morning breakfast. Some of our favorites include home made whole wheat cinnamon rolls--(and yes, someday I will provide the recipe--but it is not perfected yet and I am afraid of misleading all of you! I am so used to throwing it all together--my own recipe--that I don't exactly know how to put it down as it is different every time!)

Now onto more--scrambled cheese eggs--I do it a certain Clarkson way with bacon bits, cheese and sour cream; Polish eggs--the same only with hash browns mixed into the eggs-omelette's with green peppers, onions, ham, bacon, avocado as the favorite items and of course cheese; muffins--our favorite being oatmeal and also blueberry or pumpkin; also, apple coffee cake; cottage cheese pancakes with strawberry or blueberry topping.

But one of the family favorites, which I do when I run out of time or get up late, is Whole Wheat Pancakes. I use this recipe below. The great thing about this recipe is that you can change it by adding just a few items. The ones pictured below are my regular ones--pancakes with grated apple, pecans and cinnamon.

Sometimes I add chocolate chips and have made a smiley face with them; or blueberries, one to two squished bananas with chopped nuts; hot peach sauce on top, hot apples on top and whip cream on all of it if desired. The girls in our family prefer real maple syrup and the boys prefer Aunt Jemima or log cabin light.

Of course we always light candles and put on some kind of music.

Somehow our table looks sparse now that we only have 4!

Whole Wheat Pancakes 2 eggs 2 cups whole wheat (or white) flour 1 1/2 cups milk or yoghurt 2 -4 tablespoons honey, sugar or maple syrup-depending on your taste 6 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon vanilla Beat eggs with beater until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients until smooth. You can add up to 1/4 cup of milk if you prefer thinner cakes, but we like them fluffy and thick. They do spread out on your griddle--though sometimes I give them a little help when I put them on the griddle by spreading them out a little with my spatula. Let them cook until there are lots of bubbles showing on the surface of the cakes, and they are beginning to dry out on the edges. This makes enough to feed all 6 of us. You can halve the recipe and feed 4 if they are not big eaters!

*as an aside, I always grate apples to put in the pancakes. I also add pecans to some of them. You can also fold in blueberries. Yumm--a great way to add whatever you happen to like! (Once a woman told me that she followed this recipe and her pancakes turned out really heavy. I grind my own flour and don't add more flour if the batter looks wrong--I add a little more milk. They are pretty light for us--hope it works for you!)

Next, I like to decorate for each season. I keep lidded plastic boxes with the season's decor and it just takes me a small amount of time to decorate my whole house. (autumn, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter, Spring and summer) I like, also, these  tall glass cannisters that hold whatever you want in the bottom and  candles on the top part as pictured below. You can get them in all sorts of sizes--expensive designer ones or Walmart or Target. The reason I like them is that you can just put different things in the bottom of them, place a candle on top and it is an instant centerpiece on a table or coffee table. In autumn, leaves are on the bottom. At Christmas, I put tiny red and green Christmas tree balls in one and pine cones in another I have; small hearts at valentines with a red strand of beads during January and early February, etc.

Providing can also be  designing traditions just for your family that take on a life of its own. Every year for a few years, we took a trip to the local apple farm and picked our own apples, ate a picnic out in the fields. Then, some weekend, we would all peel apples, slice and cut them and freeze them for applesauce and or warm apples to have with our soups in the winter. This year, our apple farm had a freeze and so we bought 3 boxes of organic apple  to use for our recipes. We always watch the Anne of Green Gables series while doing it and I think we have every line memorized. This year, since our family is ridding itself of lots of our plastic, we decided to put our recipes in jars. I must say we missed the boys as they always did a lot of work with us on these!

The final outcome so far: 17 jars of homemade applesauce and 12 jars of apple butter (minus the jars eaten!)

Now, tonight we will do the last box--apple pie filling!

We so enjoyed praying for all of you today. It was such a good time of fellowship with my girls--I should do this more. Have a great day tomorrow and know we are in His loving and wonderful hands.

Grace, peace and an abundance of His love to all of you today!

Sally

Experiencing Lasting Joy

I remember the first time I heard the lyrics of the song, You are For Me.  The chorus went, “I know that you are for me. I know that you are for me. I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness.”  I was pregnant for the ninth time and I had lived the last 14 weeks in total fear of what could happen. I had been blessed with four healthy children, but had also experienced four miscarriages. No “number of weeks” was safe for me because I had gone as far as five months before miscarrying. I was living like a shaking leaf and I couldn’t get a hold of myself. This wasn’t like my positive optimistic self at all. The losses had wrecked me.

The night I heard this song for the first time, I literally sat on the ground against the wall in my kitchen and wept. The Lord was speaking to me. “Ruth, I am for you. I know you are so weak right now, but I won’t leave you. I am fighting for you.” I can’t even explain the peace that washed over me as this truth became clear…and I listened again and again...

Ruth Schwenk is sharing part of her story today and you can read the rest of her post on Chapter 10 of Dancing With My Father today at The Better Mom. We are so glad you've joined us at the book club and look forward to the next one in January!

When You Feel Inadequate As a Mom

Many of you who have attended a Mom Heart Conference or attended a Mom's Intensive in Monument, have fallen in love with my sweet friend, Deb Weakly. She does life with me and ministry and I don't know what I would do without her. But the most important part about her story is that she is an overcomer and lives excellently and inspires everyone she meets. So I asked her to share a little of her story here today. 

With love from Deb!

I have only heard the audible voice of God two times in my life. 

The first was 24 years ago, the night that I met my husband. Don't get excited-it's not what you think.

I did not hear a voice from heaven say "Here is your husband. " Actually, the voice said: "Don't smoke in front of him." You see, I was not a Christian at the time, so I smoked, drank, etc.. Apparently, heeding the voice worked. He liked me! He took me to church, and I gave my life to God a few months later.

The second time I heard the voice of God apart from scripture was actually this morning.

I have been struggling with thinking that I have been inadequate in the area of schooling my second child, Jack. My daughter, Christie, was very driven all through her home school years. Jack is laid-back and what I like to call a "plodder." He's one who takes all day to get things done, but does them and is just really relaxed with everything in his life. He is super sweet and loves God. Even as a sixteen year old boy, he is super kind and gracious. Yet all I could think about over the past couple of days was the fact that I am not doing a good job- that I was failing him somehow.

Even before I was a Mom, I was afraid that I would mess up any kids. That was a big reason why I chose only to have two children- lack of faith in myself that I could actually raise up children who would love God--especially given my past!   I had struggled before I came to Christ and had made many mistakes and  I worried about my shortcomings. My lack of formal education added to my inadequacy. Last, but not least, I had no idea or model of how to have a christian home. My past still haunts me from time to time, even though I know in my heart that I am forgiven and redeemed and that I have a new heritage and lineage because I walk with God. But that old flesh and the devil still messes with me and tells me that I am not good enough.

Yet, God is so great! He sees us and knows what we need. Today, I needed to hear His voice telling me truth about my situation.

I had just finished exercising and was stretching and listening to worship music when I started thinking about the fact that I really should have taught Jack how to use a planner a long time ago. Instantly I was under attack, with thoughts rushing in about what a failure I am for not being consistent with him in this and several other educational-type areas. I started thinking that maybe I should have sent him to school. Surely he would have been taught how to use a planner there. It was my decision to homeschool, which I truly believe God had directed me to, that was mostly under attack.

It was then that I heard God speak to me so audibly that I could not believe it. He said, "You have to answer to Me for Jack! I have specific plans for his life. He is a leader and I have called you to homeschool him. I will teach him what he needs to know. Jack belongs to me!"

Then He reminded me of a beautiful verse, (which is usually how I hear from God). It was Isaiah 54:13.

All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children."

He said ALL. He is teaching both of my kids for me! No matter my past, my inadequacies, my failures- He is teaching my children and great will be their peace because of that! Wow!! Thank you Lord!

If you are  reading this and you are struggling with the same feelings that I was., I want to tell you that you can trust your God! He will help you every step of the way with your children.Whether it's homeschool or public school, whether you're struggling with feeling inadequate in the way you disciple or educate them, whether you're dealing with bad attitudes or learning disabilities ... Whatever it is, He will help you. You are not alone, and neither are they! God will help you to do whatever it is that He has called you to do. Have a wonderful day and know that God is teaching your children, and He will be their peace.

 Deb has a passion for discipleship and prayer that reaches around the world. She has led discipleship groups for the last 16 years- focusing on the art of the prayer-filled life as wife, mom and woman of God. Deb is a frequent speaker at women's groups and has hosted International Leaders in her home with Momheart Ministries. Her favorite ways to spend her time include time with God in the morning on her favorite brown couch, with the fire burning, candles lit, hot tea and Bible in hand, while snuggling with her dog, Haylee; coffee time on Saturday mornings on that same couch with her husband of 20 years, Randy, and visiting with her kids, Christie(19), and Jack (16), while they sip assorted hot beverages. Deb hopes that her couch does not wear out soon.

* used blog 11/2020 There will always be giants in the land.......

‎

Peter Paul Rubens

"There will always be giants in our land. There will always be circumstances, people and matters of life that could potentially threaten to overwhelm us.

Perhaps the icy cold fingers of fear squeezing out all of the hope in one's heart for what might happen

to a child, a job, a marriage, a life;

the darkness of depression hanging heavily as a cloud over all the moments of a day;

exhaustion and weariness dragging the body stumbling through foggy moments of day;

illness that threatens to overwhelm life;

a marriage that bruises and wounds deep where no one else sees;

bitterness or blame that steals each moment of thought into death and hate;

loneliness so palpable and sad, the obscurity of being unknown in life's burdens and ignored and uncared for;

All and more might be the Giant's names, and yet,

 The grace and beauty of a mother, deciding to stand up to the threats of the giant,

to attack her would-be foe, with weapons of heaven's design,

This warrior mama, who understands civilizing her home, can make her giant story one of a memory of the power of God.

When she understand the import of the civilizing of our lands, our homes, our families,

these the foundations of a future adult generation that will exercise moral courage and fortitude.

and exhibit strength in places of leadership,

she understand that our children are watching us as we exhibit courage, so that some day, they will know how to be courageous.

And so, we mamas exhibit strength instead of fear, so that some day they will be strong.

We have to make the choice to believe in God, and in His ability to provide for us...

When we do, we will be freed to celebrate His goodness in front of our little audience who are learning how to live by faith in our presence...

It is natural to whine and complain or to be selfish and unloving,

It is natural to react to giants in all of their bigness and to withdraw in crumbling cowardess.

But it is supernatural to praise and be thankful and to choose to express love and faith,

and one foot in front of the other faithfulness that is a choice.

To look our giant in the face and say, "You come to me with sword and spear, so to speak,

But I come to you, my giant, in the name of the Lord of hosts and He will

protect me, provide for me and be with me

and all of His host of angels is on my side,"

this is the choice to be courageous, beyond our feelings.

Even when  feelings don't agree, one can choose to live in obedience to what is known about His character being  true-

supernaturally, walking in the power of His Holy Spirit...

saying with all one's heart, by faith and the conviction of planting a flag of belief, "He is good. He is faithful and true and He will save me, in His time--and all things will work together for good and I will see it when I am with Him looking at it from His eyeview."

So today, look for joy. Seek out beauty.

Look the giant in the eye and claim the victory that is there for the asking, Model to your children what it means to live in celebration of God's marvelous life. Look for the miracles that might otherwise  go unnoticed each day.

And this will be your story--one of beauty, a legacy in the memories  of your little ones, the  heroic moments, burned lovingly, skillfully, poignantly

in the pathways of  your children's hearts and minds, to be emulated in the future moments of their own lives."

So where is our victory over our future? It lays deep inside the potential of what each home can become,

when giants are brought to size, and righteousness and redemption of each precious moment prevails.

~ 

Sally Clarkson

 (Partially excerpted from The Mom Walk, the rest new thoughts.)

There will always be things that could potentially threaten to overwhelm us.













We have to make the choice to believe in God, and in His ability to provide for us...













When we do, we will be freed to celebrate His goodness...













It is natural to whine and complain or to be selfish and unloving,













but it is supernatural to praise and be thankful and to choose to express love and faith.













Even when my feelings don't agree, I can choose to live supernaturally...













So today, look for joy. Seek out beauty.













Model to your children what it means to live in celebration of God's marvelous life.













Look for the miracles that go unnoticed each day."













~ @[242157951372:274:Sally Clarkson] (The Mom Walk)"/>

*************************************************************************************************

And today, another encouragement for Joy from Dancing with My Father.....

I might be a stay at home mom ... but I work hard.Sometimes, too hard. Oh, not at cooking and cleaning necessarily--those things I work at, and most of the time my work ... well, it works. If I clean something, it's clean ... at least for a few minutes. And if I cook a meal, we'll all be full ... at least until someone remembers I bought cookie dough ice cream at the grocery store.

 It's the other kind of work that can wear me down, overwhelm me, make me want to hide under covers some mornings. The really tough work: the soul shaping, question-answering, discipling kind of work that has so much at riding on how well I do it. Or so I think...

Please join us for the rest of the post today from Misty Krasawski at MomHeart online, where we are wrapping up our final week of studying Dancing With My Father!

Mentoring Monday Laying Foundations for Discipline

Edward Petrovich Hau

Cottage talk is one of our girls' favorite subjects. As they grow toward independence, they often speak of moving into their own places and bilding a haven for themselves and their own families. This includes their taste in architecture, decorating, colors, favorite pieces of art and furniture. To build an atmosphere and to design comfort and beauty and functionality in a home, requires forethought, skill, materials, planning and then a lot of sweat equity.

The same is true of child discipline--or building your home into a place of character building, development of moral character, cultivating faith, teaching manners, modeling mature relationships, slowly building and understanding of love and how to express it and so much more. Each of these facets builds a place that can also reflect beauty, values, personality and excellence.

But the building of any kind of superior, lasting house, spiritual or real, does not happen in the midst of merely reacting to life.  This sort of house must be planned and formed and shaped with wisdom, skill and with diligence.

Today, I speak about building foundations for your own heart and soul so that you will have a grid from which you plan in building the foundations of your own children's lives and hearts.

Now, I know that many people say, "Sally, if it is longer than 4 minutes, no one will listen." So, my feelings are not hurt if you do not want to take the time to listen. I do these blogs in case they help and encourage some of you who so long for encouragement and instruction. It is my heart-felt conviction that God wants me to be an encouragement to moms as I so needed it as a part of how I can serve Him. So, my heart service is for Him  and in hopes that however long or short these videos are, you may not feel alone, but hopefully helped.

I do pray for all of you who read here daily--that you will find God to lift your burden--that you will find friends to meet with to encourage you along this important path and that you will understand how very much your dedication to raising your children for His pleasure and glory will matter for eternity.

And I pray you may have a week filled with the knowledge and awareness of His love for you and for the precious ones who have been trusted into your hands.

Have a lovely week!

Celebrating Saturday with Snow!

Light snow wafting through the air and painting frost art on the trees makes me bubble up with excitement. The quiet and beauty of a new snow can bring delight to my heart.

Snow means cuddling up inside with my George Winston, December, softly filling the room with piano celebration of the season.

Hot tea and hot chocolate will be continuously simmering in the kitchen.

Something warm and sweet will come out of the oven--7 layer bars or butterscotch oatmeal cookies.

Light dancing on the walls from the fireplace glow and shadows will draw everyone to the hearth.

And so snow gives me another day to celebrate and make our little haven a place of friendship shared, love poured out, conversations bubbling and books and magazines being consumed by our firelight reverie.

And it always brings to mind the poem I would read to the children when they were small, and eventually it was seared into each mind so that they all repeat the lines when we talk of the beauty of our snowland.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

So, how are you going to enjoy your Saturday?

The Atmosphere of Home

I'm so happy to introduce you to Brenda Nuland's daughter, Stephanie, today!~ Sally

On a recent family trip, I enjoyed having the chance to sit more than once in a new favorite coffee shop eating crepes and lemon-berry cake with mascarpone cheese filling, sipping my creme brulee latte and reflecting on the effect the cozy setting had on me. Settling in to a comfortable leather side chair, I basked in the ambience of soft lighting, gleaming hardwood floors, beautiful and interesting art work, soft rugs, and a fun array of fixtures and decor ranging from piles of old books to antique cameras and an old library catalog whose drawers now hold packets of sugar and coffee stirrers.

When I find myself in such a place, the interior designer in me is awakened and the wheels in my head start spinning madly as I imagine endless combinations of paint colors, furniture, lighting, and decorations; trying to picture the result in my own home. I spent much time while I was away planning changes I’d like to make upon my return, preparing to pull out the paintbrush the moment we pulled into the driveway.

However, something happened to slow me down. (Note I didn’t use the word “stop”…just “slow”!!)

While away, we were in at least five different houses, as varied in size and style as their inhabitants were from one another in personality and family dynamic. Only one inspired me with ideas on the level of style and design, and yet this one seemed lacking in warmth and life simply due to the fact that the owner is never home, though we greatly enjoyed our visit with her.

The other homes had one or more rooms that featured shabby or outdated decor. Mismatched furniture. Peeling paint. Piles of stuff here and there. But I took away a valuable lesson from each one. There was the big farmhouse full of love and gracious speech and the smell of homemade bread as we shared a meal with a large homeschooling family. Or the small house tucked away in a quiet and friendly neighborhood on the outskirts of a city with its bright yellow living room, quirky restaurant booth in the kitchen, and large covered deck with funny mismatched outdoor seating where we enjoyed a relaxed meal off the grill and my children played in a treehouse, pelting each other with water balloons before being whisked off for a ramble through the woods.

I realized two things. That my home is well-kept and nicely decorated (given limitations of time and budget), and no matter how many improvements I make to it, the atmosphere of my home will depend most on the warmth and generosity of my family’s hospitality. Would I like to have the best of both worlds? Sure! But the truth is, no measure of remodeling or redecorating, no paint color or club chair, no lighting or landscaping, will ever have as much impact on my guests as smiles and laughter and hugs and great conversation can have when offered generously without ceremony.

So tidy up a little, prepare a simple meal, and don’t stress about the tear in the couch and the pile of shoes by the door. Greet guests with a smile and extend grace to each soul that enters, for the atmosphere that you create goes so far beyond paint and pictures, and is at its best and brightest when it originates with a loving spirit, spilling over to every corner of your home. Nourishing body and soul far surpasses merely inspiring  a guest with a decorating idea. Leave that for HGTV.

Stephanie Wilbur lives in New England with her husband and five beautiful children ranging in age from 2 to 10. You can find her most days reading inspiring books to her children by the fire or in the kitchen with her daughter whipping up a batch of delicious cupcakes. Passionate about all things British, her "perfect day" involves a cup of tea, a cream scone and a Jane Austen movie. She loves to read widely, discuss theology, cook and decorate, and diligently serve her local church body.

You can find her writing at Cottage Thoughts.