Cooking In The Clarkson Home

{Today's article is from my almost-daughter-in-law, Rachael! Nathan and Rachael will be married in less than a month now!}

Getting away from busy Los Angeles where I live and visiting the beautiful Clarkson home in Colorado is always a refreshing escape that I so look forward to. Nathan and I often joke about there being some sort of magic there--as food is constantly just appearing before our eyes!

Living as an adult in Hollywood, it is such a treat to visit such a wonderful home...a place where the aroma of freshly baked cookies fills each room, where I wake up to Kelsey the golden retriever barking, where tea time is a daily necessity, and my soul is filled with laughter and great conversation.

The photo above is one of my favorite memories and moments in time.  Last summer while I was visiting the Clarksons, I was 90% excited and 10% nervous when Miss Sally asked me if I would like to make breakfast for the family in their home. Me? Make breakfast? In your home? Miss Sally's meals are so delicious, I swear they don't just go into your stomach but straight into your soul (I'm not exaggerating-just taste her homemade cinnamon rolls)! While I was absolutely honored, I felt I had a lot to live up to!

Cooking is one of my favorite things to do, and now this 22 year old girl who prepares meals in tiny Hollywood apartments had the opportunity to cook in a big, beautiful, home kitchen. Very quickly, my anxiety disappeared as I was overcome by joy. I also came to realize that Miss Sally and I have very similar cooking styles. We both share a love of whipping up healthy, hearty, home cooked meals. I often tell my fiance, Nathan, that cooking for others is truly one of my love languages. It brings me so much joy to prepare something delicious and beautiful for the people in my life.

Today, I am going to share one of my all-time favorite breakfast recipes with you. It is Clarkson family approved, and Nathan requests that I make this for him often. It has definitely become one of my classic dishes, as I usually make it along with cinnamon rolls for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of my favorite things to do is to find meals that are pleasing to the eye, scrumptious to the taste buds, filling for the tummy, but not time consuming. This recipe is not only delicious, but it cooks quickly and only requires a few ingredients!

Breakfast Cups

Ingredients: 12 eggs 12 thick slices of uncooked turkey bacon 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions: -Preheat oven to 375 degrees. -Lightly grease a 12-cup cupcake tin. -Cut each slice of bacon in half. Each cupcake tin will have two halves of bacon crisscrossed into an X to hold the rest of your breakfast cup. Place your crisscrossed bacon into every cup. -Evenly distribute your shredded cheese on top of the bacon in each cup, sprinkling lightly. -Crack one egg into each cup. -Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. {Optional: if you do not like runny, over-easy eggs, simply swap the egg and the cheese by putting the cheese on TOP. This will make a fully cooked egg.} -Bake in the oven about 15-20 minutes, or until your eggs are cooked to your liking.

This is a super easy, fun recipe that is perfect for busy Saturday mornings when you just want to feed everyone in your home, if you have guests, holidays, or any occasion!

Nathan, my Clarkson connection, and I can't wait to start our history together on March 1! We would cherish your prayers for us as we seek to follow Him in our lives and through the story we live together!

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I am so excited and honored to have the opportunity to speak this weekend at the Mom Heart conference in Irvine, CA and am really looking forward to meeting some of you! My passion is to inspire young women to create an identity based on who God says we are! I can't wait to share some of my Hollywood stories and what God has placed on my heart. I will also be sharing about my newest book, Identity Girls. 

Identity Girls is a 30 day devotional to teach each of us how to define ourselves as the young women we were so uniquely designed to be. This is not just a devotional for the insecure, for the hurting, for the flawed...but if it were, this would still be a devotional for each and every one of us. As women, we need to be encouraged, inspired, and reminded of who we were created by God to be...women of influence. Each day of Identity Girls has a notes section where you can journal your thoughts, jot down your new goals, and personalize your own prayers.

If there is a young woman in your life who is embarking on her own unique journey, be a source of encouragement in her life today. Surprise her with her very own copy of Identity Girls, and inspire her to fully understand who she was designed to be.

For more on Rachael, check out her blog for young women at:

www.rachaelleeclarkson.com

Click the "add to cart" button below to begin your journey.

XOXO, Rachael Lee {almost Clarkson}

God's Voice has Always Led me to pursue a different path-- The opposite direction from the World.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

(On a hike this fall in the Austrian woods--2 roads diverging......and I took the one less traveled by, from experience.)

"But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29

A cheap hotel room did not offer haven or beauty.Yet, it held me, a sacred sanctuary  as I shyly approached the throne of God amidst worn, shag carpet, a faded utilitarian  bedspread, holding my bowed head.  On my knees, at 22, I  had gone away for my first 24 hours alone with the Lord, I sincelerly poured my child-like heart  and gave Him all the rights to my life.

"I love you. Use me. Show me how to live for you and your kingdom--I come as a willing student and want to know you and your ways."

Philippians 3: 8- 11 became my innocent heart's cry, along with Paul: "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

This was a come to Jesus meeting between me and Him--understanding that knowing Him would become the goal of my life--and that I was giving all things into His hands--my life, goals, paths, relationships, expectations, ministry, hopes and dreams--they were placed into His hands and so began my life-long pursuit of Him--the treasure of my life. I am not super-spiritual type,  but more of a Peter, passionate and committed, often, just quite flawed in my perceptions and insights .

Yet, understanding this always gave me a place to go--that my lifetime goal was to know Him and love Him. Through the years, I would find mystery: "I don't know why this is happening." or "I don't feel qualified to handle this, God." But--I gave my life into your hands and so I will follow you where you lead and seek to understand Jesus more from every circumstance, at every turn in my road where you lead. And please know I long to glorify you."--this has made all the difference in my life. Every step became a point of looking to learn, to know, to worship.

 As a young, naive, in-experienced woman, I had no concept of what this commitment would cost me or where it would lead me. The trials and battle I would face, would at times totally overwhelm me, as I had not trained to be a warrior for righteousness, and I did not know how much it would cost. And yet, my life was owned by Him, so I followed and obeyed and sought His ways, because a commitment between me and Jesus had been made.

God whispered, "Raise the children I gave you for my glory. Disciple them to go back into the world for my kingdom." And so through this knowledge, I home-schooled so I could spend all of my time with them, to cultivate their hearts, minds, manners and souls for His glory and to be a good steward of the lives He entrusted to me. It was what He called Clay and me to do, against all the advice of those in our circles.

Take a risk, have one more child. Even in the midst of 3 miscarriages, one in which I almost died, I had my 4th child at age 42, against the voices of those who thought this extreme--and who meant well, but they had not heard God speak to me in my quiet time. Children are a blessing, the fruit of the womb is a reward, and so at early mid-life, he blessed me with one more little girl, who has brought me so much Joy--pun intended.

God led us to disciple, through grace, a foundation of love and building character. Love is the foundation of your influence, he whispered.

"You aren't spanking enough," the voices whispered. You will ruin your children.

You aren't being the parent who stands on top of your children. Bowing your knee to serve them will give them a rebellious heart and they will get away manipulate you and become rebellious."

But Jesus' example was to love sacrificially and to give up his time in heaven to live, love, teach and serve his own disciples--and so we followed His ways.

And then, God led us to send our children back into the world to bring His kingdom work in very secular places, where the world was dark. New York City Film Academy; Berklee school of music in Boston, Oxford, Cambridge, Hollywood. College at 17, over 1000 miles away from home.

"Your children are going to fall in such dark, lost cultures. I can't believe you would let them go there without your supervision."

The voices kept haunting us through all of our years. And yet, we followed Jesus--he had said, "Father, I do not pray that you take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil one." And so we served them, instructed them, trained them, loved them with our whole heart and passed on a personal vision from our own lives to them as best we could, that God had especially chosen them to bring His light to the world-that they were designed to live a story of significance.

But along the way, Jesus whispered, "The world is a hard place--Have fun, and learn to memorialize joyful moments and  life. Honor the beauty and pleasure of  my world. Teach your children to dance and celebrate life--because I made them a beautiful world to experience, so they would know more of my character and grace for them. Don't live by someone else's law--live as a child, secure in her Father's love."

We started dinner groups, took trips international and at home, read and discussed every day, all the time, had our children serve by our side--because that is what Jesus did--He was "with" His disciples every day and taught them to serve alongside Him. And so we lived as a family with freedom, music, feasting and learned to be ourselves, in spite of the criticism or whispers of others who were afraid to live in His pleasure.

Because Jesus celebrated and made new wine when He ushered in His coming with a wedding feast--a joyful party. And He promised to come back and take us to a new feast in heaven. We had to follow the feasting, artist God, and learned to live life well.

And when we were criticized and pushed away from some circles of those who followed harsher laws than we had been led to obey, we forgave, practiced love, and extended grace--because, Jesus, while being reviled, did not revile in return, but kept trusting Himself to God who judges righteously. (I Peter 2: 23) And so we practiced and practiced and practiced forgiveness--mainly to other "Christians" who were the ones more difficult for us in our lives.

And when we were in darkest of dark times, we kept still and waited. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. In this world you have tribulation, but I have overcome the world. Be still and know that I am God." And he said in Psalm 139, that "even darkness was not dark to Him"--so we trusted through our tears, that He could see even if we couldn't. He told us to trust Him, so we practiced.

And we loved wildly, deeply, generously through all of our mistakes, because Jesus said that all the laws and prophets could be summed up by "Loving God with all our heart, and loving our neighbor as ourselves."

And so like Peter, we remembered that "love covered a multitude of sins." And we lived for His kingdom--the one that will come, not the one that is here--because Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God."

And now, as we look back on our lives, we are so very grateful that His voice led us--because the fruit of our life in following Him has been so very sweet. He is good, He is kind, He is loving and He has guided us all these years. His voice can be trusted. His ways are sure--and in the end, all of us are more suited for heaven, because of His sanctifying hand, where we will be with Him forever at the marriage feast of the Lamb and us, His bride..

Knowing Jesus and following Him--the best and most blessed wisdom, and worship, we ever could have learned.

(A sunset that Jesus painted in the sky for Joy and me just, recently as we walked together on the beach in California,

for our pleasure and all who would see His fingerprints.......)

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Watch the video below to hear of a new book about  living an idealistic life., written by my friend, Tsh Oxenrieder.

Today, I am giving 3 away 3 copies of Tsh's new book!

And, because it also calls mamas to set up their ideals, to win their children, I am giving 3 copies of 10 Gifts!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wisdom--a civilizer of the whole world--Your calling, destiny and role!

When God created the world, painted pinks and blues in sunsets, designed the forests, the peacocks and zebras, Wisdom, always personified as a woman in Proverbs, was delighting, dancing, crafting at his side and standing as a partner in bringing beauty into the world. Join me for a short video about your design and inheritance as a woman who brings life, beauty, goodness, truth, and inspiration to a world that is longing to learn about all that is excellent.

My friends, as I was recording, my computer died. I hope you will enjoy this video--be inspired and live into your beautiful design in your own arena.

The end of the video should be, "Because from the beginning, you were created by God to bring all that is good, true and beautiful into the world through your life, your work and your love. God said this about Wisdom, the woman crafted to exhibit wisdom throughout the world:

“The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born— 26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 30     I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31 And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced.

Proverbs 8: 22-31

In what ways is God sending you into your world to bring His wisdom, His own excellencies to the people He has placed in your life? What are your favorite ways to show wisdom and to bring light from your feminine design?

Innocence: Oh Bother (Why Bother For Your Children)

Wikimedia Commons

From my brilliant husband, Clay Clarkson

Winnie-the-Pooh died today. Or, rather, his father died today. Not his real father mind you. And not this day, but on this day. Oh dear. I mean, on another day that is the same as this day. A different kind of same day. I mean. Oh bother.

A. A. Milne, the literary father of Winnie-the-Pooh, died 58 years ago on this day, January 31, 1956. He left behind a legacy of childhood innocence that has delighted generations of children, and adults, in many languages and cultures around the world. Thankfully, his literary progeny live on. You might have missed it, but January 18 was Winnie-the-Pooh Day in honor of Milne’s 1882 birthday.

I think it is safe to say that no other literary character in the past century is as deeply ingrained in our collective cultural psyche as the honey-loving bear of little brain. Perhaps it is because Pooh is a children’s storybook creation mined from the Milne family’s real life. Winnie-the-Pooh was the young Christopher Robin Milne’s real stuffed bear, just as his other animal friends—Piglet, Tigger, Eyore, and Kanga—were the boy’s stuffed playmates. And The Hundred Acre Wood was a real place in the Ashdown Forest area of Sussex, England, where the Milne family spent many happy years. Perhaps being made from the real made the pretend Pooh all the more real.

“The hardest part is what to leave behind… It’s time to let go.”

Winnie-the-Pooh

This post is not a history of Pooh, but rather a historical parable of sorts about innocence—its reality, its endurance, its loss. You see, on the same day that A. A. Milne died in England, a future generation was also being birthed there. As Mr. Milne passed quietly out of this world on that January 31, John Lydon came screaming into it. And no matter how innocent the baby boy might have been then, twenty years later that unspoiled infant would become Johnny Rotten, lead singer for the Sex Pistols. His groundbreaking British group would introduce the world to Punk Rock music, a thoroughly un-innocent musical form of screaming and swearing in musical rage against all things good. The Rock and Roll generation that began three days before Milne died, when Elvis Presley released his first hit song “Heartbreak Hotel,” would go on through baby Lydon born three days later to thoroughly reject innocence. And culture has never been quite the same.

Do you see the parable in those details of history? On January 31, 1956, the creator of perhaps the most enduring literary expression of cultural innocence died, and that same day the creator of perhaps the most influential musical expression of cultural un-innocence was born. It was a cosmic convergence of clashing cultures, a sentient snapshot of the inevitable ebbing and flowing of innocence. And here’s some irony to chew on along with it. In 2002, the London BBC ran a TV poll to determine who the British people thought were the “100 Greatest Britons” of all times. A. A. Milne didn’t even make the list. But John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, did. He came in at number 87. Oh stuff and bother.

“I used to believe in forever, but forever is too good to be true.”

Winnie-the-Pooh

It’s no big secret that innocence, especially for children, has taken a beating in the past half century.

Culture tends to appreciate innocence for a time, but soon tires of it, kicks it to the side of the road, and runs off in pursuit of other ever-mutating expressions of un-innocence. Like an addict always in need of a stronger fix, culture rarely lingers long in the presence of purity. But innocence never goes away. It endures. It must endure.

Here’s my point (yes, I have one). Innocence is the natural state of a child’s heart.

Not theological innocence, but rather an ideological innocence that simply acknowledges that the innocent choice is natural, good, and the most desirable. I believe all children, if unspoiled by culture and given the opportunity, will naturally desire and choose the sweeter offerings of cultural fruit—they will choose innocence and be nourished by its pure nectar. However, in the absence of truly innocent choices, a child will tend to choose the least un-innocent of whatever is offered, no matter how far the choices veer from innocence. And in that choosing an appetite for un-innocence can slowly and inevitably be fed and strengthened. Until there is no appetite for innocence. It happens in culture; it happens in children.

For the rest of the story and a great innocent book list, go to: http://forthefamily.org/

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Our children were raised on Winnie the Pooh--great read-alouds for children and adults. Also, innocent, tickles the funny bone, and has great language.

What are your favorites for innocent reading aloud as a family? (Sarah will be speaking about this at the next two Mom Heart conferences and more about choosing the right stories for feeding your children's hearts.)

And did you know this about Winnie the Pooh: 

Postscript of Useless but Interesting Historical Details:

If you think of Pooh as just a nice little children’s story that Disney made famous, let me add some perspective. Milne released Winnie-the-Pooh, his first collection of Pooh stories, in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. In 1930, media mogul Stephen Slesinger licensed Winnie-the-Pooh, giving birth to the modern licensing industry.

Less than two years later, in the depths of the Great Depression, Pooh was a $50-Million dollar industry ($650-Million in 2014 dollars). Walt Disney, who founded Walt Disney Studio the same year as Milne’s first Pooh book, was still getting his cartoon acts together, and wouldn’t buy the Pooh licenses until 1961, after the death of Slesinger in 1953 and Milne three years later. Because Milne’s books were published after 1923, the first one will not enter the Public Domain until 2026, and the Disney derivative works not for many decades after that. Pooh is here to stay.

A Podcast Just to Encourage you! How to raise great boys! (and it works for girls, too!)

"Sally, how did you live through the years of raising two boys and all of their issues, attitudes, loudness, did I say, "attitudes" and capture their hearts for a God in the midst?"

A group of moms cornered me last weekend at my Colorado conference and said they wanted to talk to me and ask me 5 questions they had all agreed were their biggest issues! 

How timely for me since I have just been recording a podcast about that very issue.

What a privilege to be able to visit with a sweet friend of mine, Brooke McGlothlin, one of the co-founders of themobsociety.com/, a great blog for moms of boys. She has written a new book about praying for boys, that I actually think would be great for all moms! She interviewed me about many of my various thoughts about raising great kids, and I thought you might enjoy listening to our discussion. Hope it encourages you.

[audio mp3="http://www.prayingforboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sallyclarkson-on-2013-12-12-at-10.06.mp3"][/audio]  

You can find her book, here!

You will be inspired!

Where Does Wisdom Come From? {And learning to crave it!} Mentoring Monday

{My sweet boys, so many years ago, with their pal Luke. Joel is on the left, Nathan on the right. Aren't they the cutest?}

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

"Mama, P L E A S E don't make me eat brown rice one more time!"

Chicken and brown rice--Clay's favorite--wouldn't you know!  I will never forget how this simple dish was the one thing my younger son (now 25), Nathan, really disliked!  In our home, my children knew that they were to eat their dinner, try new things, and have an appreciation for what was prepared for them. While Nathan didn't always want to eat his chicken and brown rice, I would remind him the importance of building an appetite for what is good. It is now one of Nathan's favorite meals- and he asks for it when he comes home!

If this sounds familiar to you at all, it's not just because of children who are picky eaters. In our own lives as mothers, we cannot crave what we have never tasted and something that we have not experienced first hand.

However, even as our bodies are made to eat nutritious, healthy food, so our souls are crafted, pre-wired to depend on God and to follow His wisdom--in order to be strong and healthy.  We are pre-wired for all that is good, and that He has prepared us to enjoy.

Even as many have developed an appetite for fast-food which is totally unhealthy, so we are a culture that has often cultivated an appetite for those things that are shallow, entertaining, material, and give us permission to do whatever "feels good," but in the end may destroy our lives. (Didn't Paul say that in the end times, people who gather teachers around them to tickle their ears?)

After the Mom Heart Conference in Colorado this weekend, I have heard many stories of women who said they have never heard Biblical wisdom before, and how they wish they could take back mistakes they have made which has created havoc in their lives, because they just didn't know how scripture could guide their lives in every area of life.

The first sin, (Adam and Eve turning away from God's wisdom, and looking to fulfill their own needs), is the result of death to the spirit of God in their lives. The curse threw mankind into the throes of coming up with our own logic, wisdom that is corrupted by world values. Voices of every kind fill the Christian and secular world that lead us away from God's wisdom and substitute for what is right for what sounds right according to man's opinion.

The beginning of wisdom is God---quieting ourselves, learning His values and ways, understanding His will for us. Only as we return to God's ways and provision, can we expect God's favor and blessings on our lives.

Psalm 34:8 says:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Perhaps you don't feel you have experienced this goodness first hand, or maybe you don't see or even understand what it means to  value of living in wisdom. The only way you can build your appetite is to understand, study, think, read, and taste it for yourself.

If you are what you eat, so to speak, what are you tasting today as your own food for thought? Whose wisdom have you depended upon?

Blogs? Facebook? Texting?

Those who have opinions and spread them across the web, but perhaps are too young and inexperienced to have the experience and proven life to back up their wisdom? Rather than depending upon man and the worlds' values, God wants us to understand Him and His ways as the true source of wisdom.

It is possible to create a new palate and build an appetite for wisdom, but this will require your spiritual and intellectual discipline--and obedience, so that you can have an appetite for what is good, true, honest, just, pure and lovely--the wisdom from above!

"So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of your time in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:15-17

The word understand is key. How will you be able to live a life of wisdom and do what God wants you to do if you do not understand how to do so? Training your heart, mind, and soul to become a woman who is committed to the ways of wisdom means understanding where it comes from and how you can apply this to your own personal journey.

Wisdom comes from God.  "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." -Proverbs 2:6 Often times in the business of motherhood, we make rash decisions and become overwhelmed before even thinking to turn to our Lord, the almighty one. Prioritize prayer and conversation with God; seek His ways, His truth, and His wisdom daily.

Wisdom comes from His word.  "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." -Psalm 119:105 Life without God's word is like fumbling around in the dark. You can't possibly see or understand what God has called you to do if you are not tasting His living word, and prioritizing quiet time with your bible. His word is filled with the wisdom that will guide us through every circumstance.

Wisdom should come from parents and the home (this means your home!). "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." -Proverbs 24:3 God values parents and the home very deeply. It is through your own study of wisdom, your own walk with God, and your subduing of your domain that your children's lives will be poured into and filled with wisdom as well.Wisdom is lived or not lived in every moment of your life in each day--the way you relate, work, teach, worship, the attitudes you have, the wisdom you share, the way you live with integrity--all of these define the wisdom you pass on to your children and the Jesus others see or don't see through your life.

His wisdom should be alive--palpable--causing others to want to know Him, because of the excellent ways that we live.

Wisdom comes from wise council. "Whoever walks with the wise will become wise." -Proverbs 13:20 Who are your counselors? Whose opinion do you care most about? Who do you spend the most time pleasing? (All of us have our favorite ways of escaping real life--it can be a hobby, romance novels, television, shopping, or the internet. If you do not have time for a quiet time, but have time for blogs and facebook, and the other escapes that keep you from dealing with real life--then you are not truly serious about seeking God as your source of wisdom.)

But having a real live person to talk to, one who has invested their lives in living close to God, is the person you want to meet with as often as possible. I have a friend that I know will always point me to wisdom because she is older than me and she has experience in areas I am just now engaging.

Perhaps you need help or companionship. Find someone to be accountable to--start a small group or time with a friend to study a book together.

Surrounding ourselves with wise, godly women will inspire and encourage us to become wise, godly women. A godly woman should be someone who has had integrity through out a life-time--has practiced righteous living, has raised godly kids, has stayed morally pure and devoted to her marriage or as a single mom, has stayed committed to Biblical ideals. Look for someone who draws admiration from you--not to some one who is just clever or opinionated but has not lived long enough to show forth the fruit of a life well-lived.

Unfortunately, we have put away the older, wiser, more experienced of our lives and replaced them with the technologically savy, flashy and web-wise authorities. And so often, we look to authorities who give us permission to live however we want instead of looking to God.

All wisdom must start with God. But we must practice learning to hear His voice in order to begin storing up wisdom in our soul which will lead us to maturity.

Recently, I was so thankful for the opportunity to get away for a little while to a health retreat to allow my body to heal and rejuvenate, after many run-ins with asthma, infections, 8 skin cancers, exhaustion, and sickness. Never in my life have I sipped on so many green things, and while it may not sound like the kind of "comfort food" we are used to, that is simply because we have not trained our bodies to have an appetite for this kind of goodness. After green drink upon green drink, my ears finally unclogged, I felt cleansed, and had more energy than before.

As mothers, wives, and women of God, we must train our hearts, minds, and souls to value wisdom and crave what is good.

Much like my weak body that was in need of cleansing, our culture and own human nature will often times infect and drain us, and we can combat this soul-exhaustion with wisdom. I hope that you are encouraged to understand wisdom and create your new palate today.

For Further Study: 1. Philippians 4:8

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

What do you find yourself investing the majority of your time in (thought life, invested energy, invested time)? Do you tend to dwell more on negativity/what needs to be done rather than what is lovely and excellent? How can you fill your life and home with more excellence this week? Write down a plan for your week and make it a great one!

2. Psalm 34:8

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Are you spending enough time with God (in prayer and in His word) to experience the goodness of His wisdom? Do you even recognize His wisdom? How can you plan to prioritize this in your schedule?

3. Proverbs 19:20

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."

Are you surrounding yourself with wise council? Even if you are, are you humbling yourself and accepting help and instruction in the areas of your life where you truly need wisdom?

Think and pray about how you can grow your appetite for wisdom, and ask God to reveal the areas you need growth and help you flourish as a woman of wisdom.

A Joyful {Kitchen} Noise: 5 Minute French Toast

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

Mornings are my time. I think better, I am more positive in my emotions and I often see the day ahead with possibilities. I have been known to irritate other sleepier types. Maybe it is because I always have a cup of something warm steaming in my hand and the house is quiet for at least a few moments before someone arouses me--so I can actually think a few thoughts all by myself. The aroma of a hot cup of tea in hand as I watch the sun rise, fills my heart with joy and rejuvenates my soul. We don't have any curtains on our 2nd floor bedroom window, and so I turn towards the window each morning early to see if I will have a "pink" sunrise.  When I see the color strewn across the sky, I take it as God personally saying hello to me and welcoming me into my day. The cold Colorado winter days provide great colors for the early morning rise--pinks, corals, purples, gold. I picture God painting the sky with His palette and brush.

Now, even in the midst of the chaos and many rustling bodies and voices, when my children come home, it is truly magnificent when all of them  are home at the same time (now that they are all so busy pursuing their unique dreams and passions that God has placed on their hearts). Hearing the sound of the girls padding down the stairs or the boys coming up from their basement bedrooms, gives me pleasure to think of sharing hearts over breakfast together. Everyone  wakes up and gravitates toward the kitchen--it brings lots of noise but for my mama heart, it is truly is a joyful noise.

The kitchen truly is a place that is filled with joyful noise: the cracking of an egg, the whistling of a tea kettle, the sizzling on the skillet, and the conversations, laughter, teasing and lives that our poured into over the minutes, and sometimes hours, spent cultivating beautiful meals and munching together. God has entrusted us as mothers to create a haven that is interesting and filled with beauty, smells, tastes and sounds--and we can use all of the senses (through cooking delicious meals) to captivate the ones we love.

Even during the busiest of mornings, followed by a day filled with things to accomplish, you can get off to a great start by making a scrumptious breakfast that won't eat up all of your precious time. French toast is definitely a family favorite in our home (especially with Nathan), and this recipe is not only delicious, but it is simple and not time consuming. Once, Sarah said she believed in God because of my French toast and hot, real, maple syrup! Here is my recipe and it is so easy!

Ingredients: 8 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoon sugar 8 slices bread of your choice, (I prefer my homemade.) 1/4 cup milk Toppings: powdered sugar, maple syrup, toasted pecans, real maple syrup heated up, butter, sliced strawberries (optional), sliced almonds (optional) 1 large cup of joyful noise (don't go looking for this in the grocery aisles-find it in the laughter of your children.)

Instructions: -In a wide, shallow  bowl, break the eggs and beat lightly. Add your milk, sugar, and cinnamon, and begin to stir. -Place a thin layer of butter(or coconut oil!)  in your skillet and heat over medium-low heat. -Dip your bread in the mixture, evenly coating both sides (I like to carefully take a fork and poke tiny holes in the slices of bread while they are soaked in the mixture. This will allow them to breath and get fluffy without burning). -Place the bread on your skillet or griddle until lightly browned on both sides. -Serve with joyful noise, powdered sugar, butter, syrup, sliced strawberries, and sliced almonds. ***To save time, and stress for family members who enjoy their toppings differently, leave your toppings out in bowls and allow each loved one to decorate their own french toast.

And everyone thinks I am an amazing cook--and it is one of the simplest hot breakfasts I serve!

Try making this recipe for your loved ones this weekend, and don't forget the joyful noise! What are some of the family favorite breakfasts in your home?

Civilizing Our Children {Through Love, Compassion, and Relationship}

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

“The home is the fountain of civilization. The value and character and appetites of a people are greatly determined by the reading, training and cultivating of moral and spiritual appetites in the home. Mothers, you are the divinely-appointed teachers and guides of your children; and any attempt to free yourselves of this duty is in direct opposition to the will of God. If you neglect them, the consequences are swift and sure … Spend most of your time with your children. Sleep near them, attend and dress and wash them; let them eat with their mother and father; be their companion and friend in all things and at all times.” From Golden Thoughts on Mother, Home and Heaven

These words, written over a hundred years ago, are still very powerful today. Perhaps more powerful, in a culture where understanding of the importance of mothers to the overall well-being of soul of the next generation has been lost. How affirming it is to see that truth of past generations still applies to us today.

civ•i•lize 1. to create a high level of culture 2. to teach somebody to behave in a more socially, morally and culturally acceptable way 3. to enlighten, cultivate, improve, advance, subdue in terms of a people or nation.

Often, I find that in the absence of a clear enough vision for their children and homes, mothers replace conviction and vision with lots of activities and distractions for their children. This hyper-activity and rushing around to an endless list of lessons and experiences and the buying of the newest expensive curriculum and technological options make moms feel like they are accomplishing something. However, when the home-life of children is rich with excellent, classic literature, passionate Biblical devotions, rousing dinner-table discussions around sumptuous, tasty meals, lots of love and affection given and household chores attended to, then a child will become committed to all that is good and excellent and develop a moral and compassionate soul for all the divinely important values—even in the absence of all that flurry of activity.

A focus on home life is the key to civilizing our children, and thereby our nation. From the beginning of time, God created the home to be a place sufficient to nurture genius, excellence, graciousness and grand civility. But the key factor is nothing that can be purchased or owned. The accomplishment of this grand life is found only in the soul of a mother, through the power of the Holy Spirit, personally mentoring her children.

It is in a personal relationship with a real person whose soul is alive in which the deepest imprints of life are given. The secrets and deep emotions shared during the goodnight hours in which the soul of a child is tender and open; the comfort of warm, home-made food shared in the early evening as ideas are shared and discussed and prayers and devotions given; the laughter, stories, advice given in the midst of washing dishes together or sharing of a meal; the heroic and riveting stories read aloud and shared together that establish common patterns of morality, values and dreams in the comfort of the blazing hearth; mugs of steaming hot chocolate and squishing against each other on a den couch—these are the heavenly things which are food to the soul and nourishment to the mind and conscience of a child fully awake to all that is important in life.

There is no computer, television, software or text book that can pass on such passion, love and motivation.

Indeed, it is the personal touch of a mother’s heart that creates grand civility, deep affection, care and commitment to the foundations of a family. When the invisible strings of a mother’s heart are tied to the heart of her children through loving sacrifice and nurture, the stability and foundations of a nation become secure and stable. A mother, living well in her God-ordained role, is of great beauty and inestimable value to the future history of any generation. Her impact is irreplaceable and necessary to the spiritual formation of children who will be the future adults of the next generation. Fun, comfort, humor, graciousness, spiritual passion, compassion for the lost, hospitality, chores, meals, training, life-giving words, hours and hours of listening and playing and praying and reading—all are parts of the mosaic which go into the process of soul development.

If you have the desire to go deeper today, set aside a few moments with a hot cup of tea and complete the reflection and application below:

• “Without a vision, the people perish.” -Proverbs 29:18 The New American Standard Bible translates this verse, “Without a vision, the people are unrestrained.” Do you have a vision for your family? Think about taking some time to write down your dreams and goals in order to have a true focus for all you do with them.

• “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” -Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Are the words of God on your heart? They must be there before they can be given to your children, so how will you make sure they are there?

• What are some ways you might share the beauty and love of God with your family, today?

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As I prepare for the mom's conferences, write a new book due this spring and prepare for Nathan's wedding amidst life, my moments to write and encourage are fewer. So, I do plan on beginning a series on wisdom, soon, but it may have to be between the conferences. I do love this topic--the idea of bringing honor, graciousness, decorum, leadership, influence, aiming words that inspire, inform and lift a person's vision to the excellence of what God created us to be--so stay tuned and I will be focussing on it as I can. 

Meanwhile, as I prepare for the conferences, I so wish I want women to understand that there must be a plan in place or life will take over. For those of you who cannot come to the conferences, I have been pondering how much knowing how to cast a vision for what you want your children to become is so very important to the ways you will invest your days. Praying for those of you who read my blog, that you will be encouraged! Blessings of grace today! Off I go to keep preparing! Sally

Hoping 10 Gifts will help some of you strengthen your plan or help you to begin making one!

The Hero's Way: Leading Your Children to Their Destiny

A new wonderful book and Bible study!

Ever since my out-of-the-box, third child, Nathan, was a little boy, he had heroic dreams on his heart. Now at 24 years old, he is following God's destiny for him, using his gifts of acting in film to bring light to a world in need of heroes. Recently, he wrote a study on the aspects he has found important to leading the life of a hero, and below is Nathan's introduction to his study. 

I read my children hero tales--real people who lived faith, practiced developing integrity, learned a servant leadership as the way of making an impact in the world, and learning to be courageous. My boys, (and girls!) all cultivated dreams of how God would use them in the world. Now, all of them are living their stories to make an impact with their messages, compassion and desire to influence their world for Christ.

How are you cultivating heroes in your home?

The Blue Brigade: Mom and me!

From Nathan:

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of being a hero.

I would watch as the flashy superheroes would cross the screen, and imagine my self in their brightly colored suits rescuing the damsels in distress and saving the day.

I would spend hours outside swinging stick-swords fighting off imaginary the imaginary foes that threatened my castle-forts.

I would fashion capes out of any spare piece of fabric and run as fast as I could through my home just to see it wave in the wind for a glimpse of a feeling of what it would be like to fly.

I am now closing in on 25 years old, and STILL haven’t lost my desire to be a hero.

I might have given up on the hope of my superpowers arriving giving me super-strength,  and I might wear capes a little more seldom.

But I still have the longing to be a hero.

I still have the continued desire to use the powers I have been given for good, and to save the day.

I believe in my heart of hearts that every young man has a hero in his heart.

I believe every boy longs, and yearns to be a hero that stands for good and ultimately saves the day.

But if we begin to look around our world today, getting an objective view of our generation, it seems that my theory might not hold water.

In a brief glance at our current culture we see self destructive behavior from our young stars, we watch juvenile crime run ramped and an entire grouping of twenty-somethings living with the mantra of “Do what you like, do what feels good and don’t worry about anyone else”.

So could I be wrong in believing that we all were born with a desire for heroism?

I don’t think so. I truly believe, that our creator has placed in each of our hearts the desire to serve, love and save the world using the powers he has placed within us. But I think somewhere along the way, many of us forget that longing in the wake of not knowing how to actually carry out, and live the life of a hero.

Because of this, I have recently written a 10 day study-journal that goes through what I believe will are the basic essentials of living the life of a Hero.

I wrote this in hopes of inspiring, helping and guiding those who remember their desire to live a heroic life and want to begin taking the steps towards living one.

I believe we all have a hero written on our hearts, but it is our choice if we will listen to the story our creator has written for us and live it.

-Nathan Clarkson

In my book, you will find discussion questions, Bible heroes, challenges, and more. Your son will remember this little book and what it places into his heart the rest of his life! Build His vision of the hero inside of him today! Lead a Bible study with boys and start a small group!

Buy Here! ***You can find The Hero's Way by Nathan Clarkson on paperback or Kindle. 

Home Management for the Homeschooling Mom: And Child Friendly Chores!

"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33

"Most of the Clarkson family members are not organizers by nature. Only Clay seems to have the gift of organization (which he often considers a curse since it seems to be regularly challenged). Everyone in the family, especially the girls, values orderly rooms and clean living areas and will work as needed to bring outward order to the immediate living environment so it is civilized and delightful, but that's where it often stops. Clay, on the other hand, is driven to create systems of organization, not just outwardly but inwardly as well. Whether it is the twenty-four hinged-lid crates for holiday decor (different color lids for different holidays), the organized and labeled pantry shelves (which never stay that way), the four drawers of family files with color-coded hanging files and dividers, or the organized garage, it is his burden to organize." -Educating the Wholehearted Child

The sun is up, you even made time for two cups of coffee (fully caffeinated), and you have your afternoon of homeschooling all planned out. Just when you were feeling inspired, your joy is interrupted by a cluttered home. Many of us mothers know this feeling all too well.

Our God is not a God of disorder, so it makes sense that as mothers, we would feel overwhelmed when our domain is becoming chaotic and unruly. It is crucial, especially while homeschooling, to create a peaceful atmosphere with as few distractions as possible so that we may focus on what is truly important (easier said than done, I know). Your home is your domain-it is the part of creation that God has uniquely designed and delegated to you to subdue and rule over, especially as a homeschooling mother. However, homes of disorder get in the way of our stewarding this very important place, and creates an environment of stress and anxiety.

Learning the basic principles of home management can save you time, energy, and keep you from becoming overwhelmed. It is crucial not only for your sanity, but for the well being and independence of your children, that you assign age appropriate chores and tasks so that they may contribute to the peace and order of the home you subdue.

Here is a short list of chores that your children can do around the house. For older children, define exactly what you mean by the chore ("The kitchen is clean when..."). For younger children, give them one or two specific tasks at a time ("Organize your toy closet").

-Make bed -Clean room -Set the table -Clear the table -Do the dishes -Clean the kitchen -Empty dishwasher -Fold/distribute laundry -Change bedding -Feed pets -Clean sink/mirrors -Scrub toilet -Straighten any room -Vacuum

Try not to stress on the overwhelming days when someone is sick, agitated, or uncooperative. Not every day will be flawless in the home, but remain encouraged so that you may continue to encourage the sweet ones around you. Be inspired today, and remember that when your home is under control, the resulting peace is a powerful testimony of God's living presence in your family.

Enjoy a special Mommy Minute video below from my sweet friend, Angela Perritt, on something new she wants to implement with her girls in the home.

http://youtu.be/3UBuXT4zdQU