I Am Weak--He is Strong

Today starts a new chapter in our family's life. 

We've spent the last six months trying to prepare for this day.  

We've prayed about it, and cried about it, and generally worked our tails off getting ready.

 Now that I'm here though-I feel completely and totally unprepared for the task.

Somehow I've always thought that when God called me to do something I would feel equal to the job.

However, in my experience that hasn't been true.

I'm so aware of my own weaknesses and inadequacies.

All I have left is to lean on the One who is strong when I am weak.

Today we begin our journey as foster parents.

Amish Peanut Butter

 

This is not a particularly healthy recipe, but it is VERY yummy. ( In case you are wondering I'm not Amish, and I've tweaked this recipe to suit our family.)

This is commonly served in Amish circles for Sunday dinner along with pickles, and pickled beets.  We like it on sandwiches or as a snack on crackers.

It works best to mix this in a mixer although I have done it by hand. 

Place in mixing bowl-

2 cups peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

13 ounces marshmallow cream

1/2 cup light Karo syrup

Mix well. scraping bowl frequently.   I usually store it in the marshmallow cream container.  It does not need to be refrigerated.

Compost Pile Tomato Plants

This is a current picture of my tomato plants that I planted on the compost pile.

 Several weeks later they are looking lush and several inches taller than the plants in the garden.

 Sadly, one of the plants got stepped on by a little boy who was tearing past, but the remaining two look beautiful.

 The lush green foliage in the background is baby lilac bushes trying to take over.  The little things are EVERYWHERE!

Now go check out Smockity Frocks post on the importance of composting.

Vacation Bible School

  

I'm currently in the middle of Vacation Bible School at church and this year I'm teaching third grade. 

It doesn't take very long until you recognize the class clown in the group.  He's not really naughty he just likes to cut up, and enjoys every bit of attention he receives.

 Sometimes it can feel a little like you pour yourself into the task of teaching without ever seeing any results, but last night I got a question that took me off guard and almost took my breath away. 

I was in the middle of an explanation of why Jesus came to earth, and out of the corner of my eye I saw his hand shoot up.  This child has asked me pretty much every question you could think of, and rarely are they relevant to the lesson, but this time was different. 

"How do I get rid of my sin?"

I replied you tell Jesus you are sorry and He takes it away.

"That's it, I don't have to DO anything?"

"No, you just tell him you are sorry for your sin and He cleans your heart."

"Wow, that's cool."

The look in this child's eyes told me that rarely is anything in his life that simple.  I know that some of these children come from hard situations, but his exuberance over the simplicity of salvation knocked me off my feet.

 He went on to say he was going to go home and pray that prayer, and exclaim several more times how easy it sounded.

I've experienced salvation personally and I don't know why, but I've lost sight of how simple and amazing it is.  It took a third grader to remind me.

What Am I Doing

Just in case you were wondering.....


What I'm doing today!  :)

Fathers Day

In honor of Fathers Day I thought that I would share a little about the two fathers that I am closest to.

The first would obviously be my dad.

He is the first man that I ever admired. 

As a little girl I was sure that he could do no wrong. 

 Now that I'm older, and know that he isn't perfect I still love him just as much.

I think that I've inherited his love of words, both written and spoken. 

I grew up trusting him because he was a steady, dependable provider, and a man of few surprises.

My husband is the other man.  I first met him when I was fifteen.

The characteristic that first attracted me to him--is what continues to attract me eighteen years later. 

 He has a confidence about him that is steadying to me.

When I'm not sure about a decision I can trust him to give me a prayerful answer.

We waited a long time to be parents, and although I knew he loved children his love for his children took me by surprise. 

He is the perfect mixture of tough and tender for our two boys.

He expects much of them, but gives much in return, and they love him fiercely for it.

I feel immensely blessed to have these two men in my life.

Butterscotch Oatmeal

We eat quite a bit of oatmeal at our house.  It's a cheap nutritious breakfast food, and there's not many other foods can you call cheap and nutritious.  I usually serve it at least once a week  My children LOVE it. 

Whisk together in a medium saucepan.

2 eggs

3 1/2 cups milk

2/3 cup brown sugar ( You can use more or less depending on how sweet you like it.)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook over medium heat until boiling.

Add 2 cups Quick Oats, stir, bring back to a boil, and turn off heat immediately.



Let sit for 5 minutes and stir in 4 Tablespoons of Butter or Margarine.  Serve with a little cold milk.  This recipe serves 4-6 people depending on how much you eat for breakfast.