Orphanage in Kenya

Prayer is being requested for an orphanage in Kenya that is in danger. Many of you are no doubt aware of the horrible unrest in that country. Please pray for the people who are involved and that God will have mercy on this country. Please pray for this orphanage, which apparently is the home for 300 children whose parents have died in the AIDS epidemic. Please pray for the child whom our family sponsors in this country and for her family. Also, please go here and leave a comment about this if you feel so inclined. Comments left at that site will be forwarded to people at the orphanage to encourage them. Thanks.

A Cute Little Visitor

Okay. This morning we're struggling with a science project that isn't working. My daughter has left me behind in algebra and I'm struggling to figure out whether a particular quiz problem is wrong or right. Certain financial papers are at various locations around the house, after paying the monthly bills. Oh yes, I need to start thinking about the income tax preparation. My nice clean house from the weekend is starting to get dirty--the back yard is muddy from yesterday's rain and my dog does not wipe his feet! The second quarter grading sheets need to be finished so they can be sent to A Beka in the time allotted. Laundry is behind.

My dishwasher (my husband), is a bit under the weather, so I'm doing the breakfast dishes--a lot of them because I made muffins. By the way, in case you're wondering, our automatic dishwasher hasn't worked in ages. Anyway, here comes Frustration trying to creep up on me. He hasn't been around in a while. Sad Heart has come by a bit of late, but not Frustration. So, as I was trying to deal with that old friend from the past, I saw it. It was in the bush outside the kitchen window. It was a Carolina wren, one of those little guys who don't frequent this part of the country too often. As always, it was cute as it could be, but that wasn't all. It started singing. That was all that was needed to turn Frustration on his heels and send him out of my house. The song was strong and determined from that little guy in my bush. I think the Lord sent him.

God of Our Fathers

During my morning prayer time, I have certain days that I pray for certain things. Friday is the day on which I pray particularly for our country, the leaders and the military. Today, for some reason, a sadness overflowed me. It's hard to explain why it was such an overwhelming feeling of sadness, but it was. It's not that I'm such a super patriotic person, but I do love my country very much, even with all its faults. It just seems that we've come a long way, and not necessarily has that been a good thing. Technologically, of course, but in other ways it's a different story. All of the election 2008 news these past few weeks don't bring hope and encouragement from my vantage point. Of course, I'm not going to name any names, but I just don't know what our future holds. But then, Who is it that really holds the future? So we can keep praying, right? Let's all do that. Even though there is a lot that we could look at and feel dismayed, there's always hope in God if His people, who are called by His name, humble themselves.

I often look back to our republic's beginning and feel hope. Much of what was accomplished back then regarding the framework is still with us, really. And the same God who led our forefathers is still with us if we seek Him. He can do anything. So I say to myself : "Hope Thou in God." Now I feel better.

View this week's hymn as a prayer and please join me in praying for our nation, especially now.

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
In this free land by thee our lot is cast;
Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay;
Thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be thy strong arm our ever sure defence;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

~ Daniel C. Roberts, 1876

Listen here. The tune is encouraging and triumphant, giving us impetus to move forward. May His "true religion" increase in our hearts. That means the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. All praise to Him!

A Testimony About Sports

Earlier this morning I made a post in this spot about myself, my family, and the Lord's Day with regard to sports. I found myself coming back to this post throughout the day and making edit after edit, trying to get it worded right. I'm about to go to bed now and have decided to scrap the whole thing. Why? I think the post was controversial and I really don't want to be controversial here. Sometimes I want to talk about the things of the Lord and sometimes I'll talk about other things, like sports and just have fun. This is my personal blog and I want it to reflect my heart and life, but I certainly don't want it to cause conflict in anybody's heart. So, if you read the post I had here earlier, I hope it wasn't a snag in anyway. I certainly didn't intend it that way--I wanted it to be a testimony, but after reading it throughout the day, I decided just now that I didn't like it. I think some of the things that were said are just as well not said. If you didn't get a chance to read it, don't worry--you didn't miss anything.:-)

Anyway, this much I will say: I am very excited and happy that after a big win yesterday, my dear Giants are going to the Super Bowl! Most people don't think they have much of a chance against the powerhouse Patriots, but I'm just glad they will be there. And who knows? Maybe they CAN beat Brady and Company.

More Dangers

Goodness. The older I get and the more we progress as a people, the more there is to worry about. We sure do need to ask the Lord for wisdom these days, don't we?

This is the major news story in most parts today. If you haven't heard it yet, go here.

Since it seems there is nothing safe anymore, it does help us to trust more explicitly in the God who calls all the shots, really. I read this in my personal devotions this morning and it seemed to apply as I came out and turned on the news, which is almost ALWAYS bad:

"Let us pray for a thorough confidence in God's superintending providence over all our worldy affairs, and God's perfect wisdom in all His arrangements concerning us."~J.C. Ryle

O Jesus, I Have Promised

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me,
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear:
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee
That where thou art in glory
There shall my servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

~John E. Bode

How blessed Mr. Bode's children were to have their father write a hymn for them at the time of their confirmation. We sing this at church sometimes and it's one of the ones I've learned in recent years. Good one for the beginning of a new year wouldn't you say? These are words about following our Savior and serving Him, and also about not wandering from the pathway. The word "paths" has really been on my heart today as you might see from my post at my Scraps blog. My promise is to do my best to live a life of service in the way that leads to glory. And that's only by following Him. Do you know Him as Savior? Are you following Him on the path to glory?

The tune can be played here if you want to listen.

Easy Exercise!

Cathy has won a prize from me again. Yep, my husband drew her name with her title for the picture of the little titmouse. Take a look at the photo two posts down and you'll see that this title "Easy Exercise" is a good one. One cello gift bag will be going out to Cathy soon! I got some really good suggestions--only eight but they were all good.

A picture and a poem

Well now, we have completed one whole week in 2008. Actually, I'm rather glad the extremely busy holiday season has subsided and I think I'm finally starting to get going on some writing and business ventures. I just stopped by to post a picture and a poem.

A quick note about Selena. She has become quite a little character and keeps us chuckling. Talk about a whiz kid, she even just made her own blog post! Go visit Bev's blog to read it--I think you'll enjoy it.

Also, a sister from church gave me a church newsletter the other day because it had a couple of good poems in it and she thought I might like to post one on my blog. She was right. I really liked this one in particular. These are wonderful thoughts to start off the year. May it be a blessing and prayer for all of us.

Father, let me dedicate, all this year to thee,

In whatever wordly state Thou wilt have me be:

Not from sorrow, pain or care, freedom dare I claim;

This alone shall be my prayer, glorify Thy Name.

Can a child presume to choose where or how to live?

Can a Father's love refuse all the best to give?

More Thou givest every day than the best can claim

Nor withholdest aught that may glorify Thy Name.

If in mercy Thou wilt spare joys that yet are mine;

If on life, serene and fair, brighter rays may shine;

Let my glad heart, while it sings, Thee in all proclaim,

And, whate'er the future brings, glorify Thy Name.

~~Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864

Oh, by the way: I'm surprised so few folks are trying for my little gift bag giveaway. (See last post.) You don't like my little titmouse? Come on, make a comment. I'll wait until Thursday to have the draw.

Title, Please

Of all the customers that come to our feeding station, I think the titmouse is my favorite one to watch. Years ago, I actually had one that would chase me around the yard and eat peanuts out of my hand. It didn't last long because he disappeared after about a week of doing that. I was sad after I first realized that he was gone. Maybe this spring I'll try "training" another one.

As usual, my photo needs a title--leave your choice in a comment. I don't always do this, but for this one I have a nice little cello gift bag for the winner. I'll let my husband draw next Wednesday or so. Everybody else is giving away goodies so I thought I'd try to keep up with the Joneses!

The Dawn of Another Year

Well, we have come to the beginning of another one. Another sunrise of a calendar year. This time we once again have a number that is divisible by four--which always helps us remember that it's a leap year, an election year, and an olympic year. Our calendars are fresh and new, as are our hopes and dreams. We don't know what we'll encounter this next 366 days, as is the case each time January 1st comes around. Following is my prayer for the year--the same one that Frances Ridley Havergal had years ago when she wrote this hymn. A dear friend of mine sent this same hymn to me at the beginning of last year and now I'm sharing it with you as my hope for you as well.

May God grant each one who stops by and reads this post a blessed and Christ-filled 2008.

Another year is dawning:

Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting,

Another year with Thee;

Another year of progress,

Another year of praise,

Another year of proving

Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,

Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness

In the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning

Upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting,

Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,

Of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training

For holier work above.

Another year is dawning;

Dear Father, let it be,

On earth or else in heaven,

Another year for Thee.

~Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

Merry Birthday!

There was another special baby born whose birthday we celebrate this time of year. It was a baby girl, born on December 22nd. The year was 1992 and she came as a very special gift to us on the day after Christmas that year. She continues to be a special gift to her dad and mom and whole family. So today is the fifteenth anniversary of her birth and we want to say to her:

Happy Birthday, Neesie!

To the rest of you I say "Merry Christmas" from my house to yours. I wrote a brief meditation about the most wonderful baby of all over at my devotional blog if anyone would want to go read it. God bless you all with a wonderful holiday.

A Break!

Now I know I need to take a break for a bit. Maybe a week, maybe more--we'll see. I do most of my blogging and comments on my laptop, which is having wireless connection problems. I can't get it figured out, so I hear the Lord telling me to get away from it for awhile. Besides, I have a bunch of writing and editing that's being neglected and that should be my priority anyway. So I need to get myself together here, which means I won't be around. Blessings to all of you until next week. Lord willing, I hope to be back before Christmas!

Behold, a Branch is Growing

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

Jesus thought of as a flower in winter? That's what this hymn is calling Him, and that is such a perfect metaphor. And to think He came at midnight. In other words, He came at the darkest hour; He came when when sin had thoroughly enveloped the human race. This is another one of those Christmas songs which we don't hear much. I doubt if you've heard it played in the stores. But, oh, what beautiful sentiments we find in this one. "This flow'r whose fragrance tender, with sweetness fills the air." That's our Savior. This lovely, lovely hymn came to us from Germany; the translation of the first four stanzas were by Harriet R. Spaeth and the last by John C. Mattes. Friends, don't we have a wonderful Lord and Savior? A flower in winter. Sounds like a good title for a book.

Behold, a Branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse's race
And bears one little Flow'r
In midst of coldest winter,
At deepest midnight hour.

Isaiah hath foretold it
In words of promise sure,
And Mary's arms enfold it,
A virgin meek and pure.
Through God's eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.

The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God;
From sin and death he saves us
And lightens every load.

O Saviour, Child of Mary,
Who felt our human woe;
O Saviour, King of Glory,
Who dost our weakness know,
Bring us at length, we pray,
To the bright courts of heaven
And to the endless day.

Listen here

Sneaky Nutrition - Turkey Soup

Well, it's snowing outside again. According to the Farmer's Almanac and some "expert" who made a recent prediction, we're going to have a mild winter again this year in our area. But according to the squirrels in my backyard, we're going to have it rough. You see, they're quite fat. For the last two seasons they didn't get very fat and it was a mild winter. Since they're fat again as in years past, I think they're forecasting a lot of bad weather coming up. Let's see who's right--them or the experts. God willing, I'll come back in April or so and let you know.

Soooooo, it's a good time to give you a nice recipe for a meal to serve on a chilly, nasty-weather day, sneaking a bit of nutriments in as you warm the bellies. And you need just one big pot! If you have any turkey bones left from Thanksgiving like I do, it's time to make some soup for your family, especially if there are any stuffy noses or people coughing in your house. The most important thing to remember is that you should cook the broth well ahead of time and chill it in a cold place so that you can skim off the fat before making the actual soup.

My turkey soup recipe is very simple. Some people may want to add their favorite herbs. For some reason, I like it better without a lot of herbs. Also, some people prefer it with cut up potatoes. I prefer it with noodles. The key is to cook the bones for a long time, and you'll have a lots of flavor! Here is what I do:

Put in large pot:

turkey carcass and leg, wing and other bones that no one ate off of (I leave a lot of meat on my bones !)
3-4 celery stalks, cut in large pieces
1-2 onions, cut up
1-2 carrots, whole
8-10 cups water, depending on how many bones
1 Tablespoon salt
5-6 peppercorns
2-3 bay leaves

Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer slowly for three to four hours. Make sure the lid is on tight. After cooking, let it cool for a while and then take a slotted spoon or strainer and take all of the bones from the broth, with the celery, carrots, peppercorns and bay leaves. This can take a while because the bones can be in small bits . Leave the meat!!!

After cooling the broth (usually overnight) and skimming off the fat, bring to a boil again and add:

a couple of cut up boiled eggs
1 celery stalk, diced or sliced
any frozen mixed vegetables of your choice
about half head of a small cabbage, shredded (or zucchini)

Ten minutes or so before serving, add:

whole grain noodles

Sorry measurements on the vegetables and noodles are vague, since it depends on how thick you want the soup to be. I make it quite thick but it's more like a thick soup than a stew. My younger daughter eats it with a fork (remember that ad?), but for some reason that irritates me. But I certainly don't make an issue of that! I'll also mention that someday if I want to be a very nice wife to my husband, I'll put okra in it--you know how nutritious okra is, don't you? But I haven't gotten to the point that I've been able to do that (I hate okra and he loves it!), so I guess that says something about what kind of wife I am. ;-)

Well, I hope you make some of this soup soon, adding and subtracting as you see fit. Soup is one of those flexible dishes that we do with as we like. Enjoy the winter weather, guys. Oh! and don't forget the homemade cornbread or wheat bread that goes so well with your soup.

Once in Royal David's City

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

I cannot tell you how much I love this wonderful Christmal carol. I think this choir sings it beautifully, don't you? All you need to do is listen to the words to capture your heart for our wonderful Savior. What a blessing this is. The third stanza sung here is different than in our hymnal and we have a fifth stanza, which makes me want to shout "Hallelujah!" This hymnwriter, btw, is one of my favorites, for she loved to teach children about God through her hymns. I hope you'll teach this to your children. These are the words which appear in our hymnal:

Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable,
And his cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And, through all his wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms he lay:
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as he.

And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heav'n above,
And he leads his children on
To the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him, but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars his children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

~Cecil Frances Alexander