What I'm Grateful For

This year, we had a quiet Thanksgiving: just my 8 siblings, my parents, my paternal grandparents, and me. But though it is much smaller than normal (marriage seems to change that and now our relatives have other "family" to be with), it is extra special this time, because it is the first time in 2 years that our family has all been together for the Holy Days..

Rachel mashing potatoes & Josiah washing yams

Daniel putting together a pie crust

Blueberry and Cherry pies were on the list this year!

I taught David how to make the cranberry sauces this year--this one is my favorite
(a festive orange/brown sugar sauce...SO yummy!!)

Rachel finishing the mashed potatoes.. 

In some ways, I think we treasure it more - at least those us who reality has already hit...who knows how many years we shall all have together as an entire family? Daniel is headed off to college next Autumn, and who knows what God has in store for me...plus, there is always that lingering question of marriage for us 3 of age.

Most of us working in the kitchen (it's a family affair!)

Oma was up earlier making pies with the little ones, but we didn't get any photos.. :(

Table Settings: Mama has collected Royal Albert's "Old Country Roses" for years, and it's so much fun to set the tables all gorgeously with it!! Even if it is usually for nicer occasions, since it's all hand washable. (Talk about spoiled--having a dishwasher!)

Love this table arrangement--This is what Thanksgiving is really about!

Another arrangement

Mama putting the food out...

Visiting...

Playing games....

I manned Thanksgiving prep this year, including cooking the turkey and stuffing.
This was the first turkey I've done, and it turned out DELICIOUS!
(If I don't say so myself...and I usually don't like turkey!)

After dinner, we were going to have a toast, and then found this weird thing in the cider bottle!!!

It freaked us out a bit at first, but after Grampaw tasted it (the next morning) ;P, we decided it was just an old, petrified apple core... Yikes!!

I love the faces...

Everyone was REALLY interested.....

Life is truly a vapor, as James 4:14 says...

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

I love Ecclesiastes... It helps me keep in focus what life is really all about. It isn't about the things of this world--the carnality.. Life is about glorifying God for the set time we have here; to encourage and edify others, and lead others to our Saviour.

It is hard to pick out one verse...if I could, I would post the entire book...but instead, I shall encourage you to sit with a hot cup of tea and an open heart at the feet of Yahweh, and ask Him to show you those truths He wants you to apply.

"What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth Him: for it is his portion. 

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

~ Ecclesiastes 1:3-5, 5:18, 11:9-10, 12:14 ~

20 Things I'm Grateful For:

1) My Jehovah-Rophe, El Shaddai, akong Ginoo Hesus Kristos.
2) My Godly heritage and the example and passion they have passed down.
3) My grandmothers - Oma and Mamoo - who spent hours teaching me almost all the skills I know, especially handwork and creativity. Thank you for being some of my best friends, and always having wisdom and love to impart!

Oma

4) My living grandfather - Grampaw, who faithfully delivered me from the Alaskan bears I was sure would eat me up, dried my tears, made me precious things of wood, and showed me how diligence, perseverance, and frugality always pays off.
5) My Papa who has stolen every inch of my heart (next to my Jesus). Thank you for your daily example of meekness, boldness, wisdom, love for God, and love for us. I'll always be your Princess!!

Papa serenading Mama...love his violin music!

6) My Mama who without her, I would be at a loss. Thank you for teaching me by example how to be a virtuous woman and that orderliness is next to Godliness. You are the best Mother ever!!
7) My 23 siblings, both living on earth and in eternity (Christiana, Christopher, Daniel, Ardenia, Rachel, David, John, Samuel, Rebekah, Esther, Josiah, Matthew, Lydia & James, Faith, Grace & Hope, Joshua, Caleb, Charity, Simeon and Anna, and Phillip). I am so blessed to have each and every one of you. Thank you for your encouragement, example, and of course the character building you each help me to pursue. ;) I look forward to spending time with each of your for eternity, because each of you loves our Jesus!

Daniel

Rachel

David

Samuel

Rebekah

Esther

Josiah

James

8) My Freedom - the good bit of traveling I have done, as well as living in the Philippines has made me so very grateful for the freedom (albeit changing) that I have as a {homeschooled} Christian living in the United States of America.
9) Our Forefathers who died that we might have the religious freedom we have. How important it is that we don't let that freedom wash away, but rather stand up for what is right and Truth. We need to infiltrate all positions in our government and justice system with those who are bold in Christ, and understand what God's heart and design for leadership is.
10) My Mentors who encourage me to follow God no matter the cost, and push towards higher heights.
11) My Close Friends - how I have been blessed with a circle of friends who sharpen me, as I do them. I am so thankful for each and every one of you!! Through thick and thin, you have been there by my side, or afar but close in prayer. Thank you for your inspiration!
12) Mission Opportunities - I am so grateful for the opportunities to live and serve in the Philippines  for 7 months: serving the buntis (pregnant women), discipling girls in the mountains, learning and living the culture--including the Holidays, gaining a 'filipino family' and helping to marry off my filipino 'sister', and learning 2 (partial) dialects.
13) My Physical Short-comings - Yes, pun intended...  There was a time that I was angry at God for the multiple challenges He gave me...however, I have learned over time that they are really blessings designed to strengthen my character, and treasures to take care of for God. I am just so grateful that I at least have most of hearing and that out of my 5 senses, my 'feelers' are completely intact!!
14) Raphya - how can I forget one of my best friends?? Raphya means 'healer'..my beautiful black mare...God used you in your life and in your death to show me more glimpses of Himself, and to strengthen my faith. Though I never saw your beloved filly - my Ruhamah (meaning 'having obtained mercy'), God used you both more than you'll ever know to draw me to Himself!!
15) My Hair - 1 Corinthians says our hair is a woman's natural covering, and though I sometimes covet my sisters' thick hair, I am so grateful for my own, and all the fun we have together.
16) My Home - Home truly is where the heart is. I'm so glad my parents have desired and welcomed us as adults to stay in the home after we reach adulthood.
17) Institute in Basic Life Principles - I grew up using Advanced  Training Institute Curriculum, and though at times I was unsure if I really liked it, in the last few years, I have grown to appreciate the Godly impact it has had on my life. I have so appreciated the Biblically-sound principles they have shared, and for the insight Dr. Gothard has given on multiple occasions, whether it was at conferences, Journey to the Hearts, or direct conversations.
18) Our Piano - what would I do without my relaxer?? I take out all my emotions on our poor, dear piano..what a blessing it is!!

All of us gathered around the piano to sing...so beautiful!

19) Color and Design - Bright, vivid, colors and contrast...oh, they light up my world like no color else.. ;)
20) Adventure is out there!!! God gave it to us. We can explore it, so LIVE the adventure!! ;)

Cultivating a Mary Heart

As I mentioned in my post on Cultivating a Heart of Prayer, I have really struggled with being a Martha, instead of a Mary, especially in the last couple years.

Though I have the spiritual gift of 'Serving', I am realizing that sometimes semi-consciously I make it an excuse for getting out of uncomfortable situations... I have found that in times of conflict or praise, I tend to shrink inside of myself and do that most effectively and nonchalantly by "busying myself" with whatever work needs done. I busy myself in order to not say words out of frustration and anger. I turn to work in times of trouble and unsurety.

Notice Martha's eyes....she's full of cares--
how often I find myself right there!

I suppose, subconsciously I think "If I am working hard, I either won't have time to think about it, or the problem won't have time to bother me".... However, running away is never the answer.

A few years ago, for a whole year, God kept telling me to "Be Still and Know that I am God". It was really hard for my mind to truly grasp this, as it is so different from what I'd been living. In of myself, it seemed impossible to do this, but through many almost weirdly miraculous happenings -- including some anonymous person giving me a bookmark for my birthday with the words "Be Still and Know that I am God" on it --, God helped me to start making it a reality, by truly turning my world upside down and creating time I never would have had otherwise.

So, what's the difference? Luke 10:38-42 says:

Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, 'Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.'

And Jesus answered and said unto her, 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.'

I think it can be summed up in Matthew 11:28-30:

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Something To Ponder:
"...the realization that I could be simultaneously busy and lazy, that I could be a hectic sluggard, that my busyness was no immunity from laziness...
Busyness does not mean I am diligent.
Busyness does not mean I am faithful.
Busyness does not mean I am fruitful.
....the sluggard can be busy-busy neglecting the most important work, and busy knocking out a to-do list frilled with tasks of secondary importance." -CJ Mahaney

It is good to serve, however, I'm realizing it's really a heart issue. Are we serving in the Flesh, or the Spirit? We are doing it in our strength or in God's strength? It makes all the difference!!

Could it be that we are saying yes to things that cause us to neglect saying yes to God?
Something to think on and purposely pray over..

Honestly, I love being 'Martha'..but what am I missing out on? What a treasure Mary has at Jesus' feet!

I find myself going through phases... It is so much easier to truly serve God when I am living my life in the Spirit. However, if I get busy, miss my personal devotions, or stop making Him my focus, the cares of this life so easily overcrowd the best things of life!!
I don't think it is a "one time, cure all" thing..it's a choice - every moment, every day.

If we would only always find our rest there, and not struggle under our burdens alone. If we would only always ask Jesus before we take another commitment on us... I think we would find a lot more fruitfulness, diligence, and faithfulness there. I am reminded that 'iniquity' is sometimes just doing the right thing at the wrong time.

I pray this is a blessing to you. I know it's a refreshing reminder to me!!

Resting As I Walk Along

Some days, God gives you a melody. ... Other days, He gives you a poem. Tonight, it was a poem.

I have found a friend in Jesus,

He's all the world to me.

I can take each problem to Him in prayer.

No matter what the issue,

He's always there to renew,

And help me overcome my despair.

Though it might be just a question,

I take each and every to Him,

And He faithfully answers me in His time.

It may take Him forever from my frail point of view,

But He knows what He's doing, and He'll do it too!

So, just rest in His love,

And wait in His peace,

And hope in a trustful way.

Give every desire to Him,

And make sure to walk in Him,

And wisdom He shall give you each day.

 ~ KH

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in His way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.

~ Psalms 37:7-9, 11, 3-5 ~

Cross Country Reprise

I got more photos for Samuel and Rebekah's running season, and they were so great that I wanted to share them (Please see here for past record mentions):

Start off!

Girl's team in their awesome uniforms at State

Chilling before the race

More chilling...

2nd place State!!

The team surprised Rebekah and a teammate to celebrate their birthdays which happened while we were there.

1st for Boys and Girls teams at Regionals!!

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

~ 1 Corinthians 9:24 ~

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

~ Hebrews 12:1-2 ~

Anniversary - High Tea

My parents celebrated 24 {wonderful} years of marriage this last Monday, November 11th. Instead of going away to celebrate, they decided to stay home this year, however, we kind of "make pretended" that we were a hotel, making fun {favorite} meals for them.. I don't have pictures, but we had a lot of fun..omelets, shrimp, orange chicken, and today, we made a High Tea for them.

1989

Mama has been collecting Royal Albert's Old Country Roses for years now, and in the past, Papa would get her new pieces at Christmastime because Costco always had a sale. Well, I found some great deals on Ebay, one of which was a 5-tier hors d'oeuvres tray! He asked that we make a surprise High Tea highlighting that and the other pieces he got her....so, this is what we came up with:

The place settings

Mama (and Papa's) First Look

My little brother photographed last minute for us, but unfortunately the photos didn't turn out like we wanted..anyway, they show a glimpse, though the roses blurred up top.
We are relaxed health nuts, and so I tried to make the tray semi-healthy. (As you can see, we are not huge chocolate fans here...) It was such a big hit--especially the cucumber-radish appetizer, that I thought I'd copy recipes down below.
Top Tier: Chocolate-dipped Strawberries, with Rose garnish
2nd Tier: Costco Cheesecake Squares (Cranberry and Blueberry), with wildflowers.
3rd Tier: Deviled Eggs and Radishes with Chive Butter (recipes below), with Parsley garnish
4th Tier: Bruschetta and Quiches, thanks to Costco
5th Tier: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches, Herbed Cream Cheese Cucumber-Radish Appetizer, Tea Crackers (recipes below)

I thought it incredible how many flowers are still in bloom here even after the first snow!!

Deviled Eggs
I kind of just throw my deviled eggs together..have since I can remember.. Add cayenne pepper for a bite. =D

Eggs (preferably at least a few days old, to insure easy peeling)
Salt, a couple dashes (to help water boil faster)
Apple Cider Vinegar, A couple dashes (helps the peels come off easier)
Mayo, a Tablespoon or more, depending
Mustard, lots ;)
Relish, lots ;)
Pickle Juice, a Tablespoon or more (I like to use the pickle juice more than mayo, because it adds more flavor)
Salt (Himalayan =D), to taste
Pepper, nothing but fresh ground will do, to taste
Paprika, to garnish
Parsley, to garnish

Boil eggs with salt and vinegar. Once at a rolling boil, boil for around 10 minutes, turn off stove and let sit. After a while (5-10 min?), empty off water, and run cold water on for a few minutes, and let sit.
Peel eggs by taking a chopping knife, and using the back side (hopefully 1/8" thick), crack the shell around in a circle. I find this way a lot faster and more effective than the "drop and roll" egg peeling.
Cut each egg in half - long ways, removing the yolk, and placing in a bowl.
Add Mayo, Mustard, Relish, Pickle Juice, Salt, and Pepper.
Stir until smooth.
Using a sandwich bag with a small hole cut in corner, squeeze egg yolk mix back into the egg white.
Garnish with more fresh ground pepper (can't live without it!), a dash paprika, and parsley, if you like.

Radishes with Chive Butter
8 T. salted butter, softened
2 T. fresh chives, finely chopped plus some for garnish
Dash of Garlic Powder
Pepper, Fresh Ground
2 bunches radishes, 1 lb, washed, trimmed, and halved lengthwise
Coarse Himalayan Salt

Combine all and use a leaf icing tip inside of a sandwich bag corner to apply on radish. Garnish with more chopped chives, pepper ;), and himalayan salt (tiny bit)

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
10 sandwiches
Bread, sliced
1 large cucumber, (peeled, if desired) and thinly sliced
8 oz. whipped cream cheese (OR Herbed Cream Cheese recipe below)
Cut crusts off of each slice.
Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on 2 slices of bread.
Place 2 or 3 cucumbers on 1 piece of bread.
Make into a sandwich, repeat, making 10 sandwiches.
Cut into halves.

Herbed Cream Cheese Cucumber-Radish Appetizer
12 Appetizers                           Total Time: 25 minutes
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
2 T. fresh mint, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. salt
pinch of cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 tsp. fresh chives, snipped, divided
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest, divided
English cucumber, sliced 1/8" thick
3 sm. radishes, sliced 1/8" thick
Sea Salt for sprinkling (if desired)

In a small bowl, combine cheese, fresh mint, lemon juice, salt and cayenne pepper. Add 2 tsp. chives and /2 tsp lemon zest reserving the remainder for garnish.
Stack a cucumber and radish slice together with a dab of cheese mixture between to hold slices in place, then top each with 1/2 tsp. of the cheese mixture. Garnish with the remaining zest and chives, place on a platter, sprinkle with sea salt, and serve immediately.

Herbed Cream Cheese on Crackers
Simple as that--spread the herbed cream cheese (above) on crackers, and use parsley, chives, and or lemon zest for a garnish.
(Great for gluten-free)

Cultivating a Heart of Prayer

What is your first thought in the morning? What about your last thought at night? Take a moment and ask yourself...
Is it reviewing the day's happenings, or planning for tomorrow, or going over next week? Is it daydreaming or making up stories? Or is it spending time with your Saviour?

Psalms 55:17 says:

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice."

One of our favorite books on prayer is: Lord, Teach Us To Pray, by Tom Harmon. I would encourage all of you to read it. It doesn't cost much, and is completely worth it.

This last year, God has really convicted me about how much time I spend communing with Him in prayer. While in the Philippines, serving abroad, or doing/going through hard things here, prayer and communication with God comes easily, however, here at home so often I become a perfect Martha, and get so caught up with the work at hand, that I don't spend nearly enough time with the One who gave His life for me.

Often, He has had to gently say: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: but that thou wouldst choose Mary's good part--listening at My feet. (Luke 10:42-43/paraphrase)

In the past months and especially the past weeks, my El Shaddai has impressed upon my heart all the more how much I am missing by not glorying in His presence as my first and last thought of the day. One of my personal favorite books is: Secrets of Meditation, by Dr. Bill Gothard. It is another book, costing hardly anything, and truly is a gem of truths... In fact, it is probably one of my top 5.

Dr. Gothard talks about the importance of making our bed an altar unto the Lord in his book Enjoying God's Presence. Though I have done this often in the past, when I get caught up in life, I have found this golden practice fades as well, and it is only in recent weeks that I have took up this practice again, truly trying to meditate on Scripture and prayer when I lie down and rise up. It is truly changing my life. Not only does it  give me so much more peace and rest, but if I wake up in the night, I am finding Psalms 119:62 in actuality:

"At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous judgments."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says: "Pray without ceasing."
When you do this, it takes your relationship with Christ to a new level, however, it truly starts with meditating in God's word, which is not just reading and memorizing God's Word, but also meditating--engrafting and personalizing Scripture and applying it to your life.

I would encourage you to join me in our journey to the foot of the Cross -- to know the heart of God. Start today!! Habits die hard, but ask God--He is faithful forever. I find it interesting that in almost all the cases that 'temptation' is mentioned in Scripture, the answer is prayer. I am learning that 1 Corinthians 10:13 is really true:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;  but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to heart it."

Looking back, almost all the times that I have made mistakes or truly sinned--which for me is MANY, but now mostly what I say (or don't say), time usage, attitudes, etc.--, I usually heard the prompting of the Spirit, and that is where the choice lies--do I walk in the Spirit (which often is hard in the moment), or take the easy way out and walk in the flesh??

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

~Matthew 26:41 ~

What an immense burden is lifted to know that we are not alone, when we give our lives to Christ!! And especially to know that He is with us--despite our failings--to bring us back onto the course of Truth and Righteousness. We of ourselves are dirty rags, but He chose to put His righteousness on us!!!

But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy Hand.

~ Isaiah 64:8 ~

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. 

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

~ Jeremiah 29:11-14 ~

This is my prayer and my earnest desire for each one of us, including me (especially me):

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understand.

~ Colossians 1:9 ~