Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thursday Hello

A good morning to you! The husband, the children, and the chickens are still asleep. It's quiet, peaceful, and no one's asked what's for breakfast yet! It's just cereal today. I've got to get busy and finish yard sale prep this morning. I've got to pick up tables at Friend Joyce's house; then, I'm off to Friend Sherry's house to set up. Sherry decided to open tonight rather than wait until Friday morning. It's just as well. Her house is on a busy street near a couple of factories; so, she gets lots of traffic.

Well, it's not seven a.m. yet; but, I'd better get busy before everyone makes me busy. ~smile~

Baby Girl just woke up!

Laura

Abundantly Blessed

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

A Bit of Rambling on a Wednesday Morning Because I Don't Feel Wordless!

I'm taking a break from cleaning for a few minutes. Outside my window the squirrels are playing tag around one of the big oak trees. The oak tree in my backyard is so tall, I still have to look up into the branches from my second floor office window.

While cleaning, my little kiddles were talking about their birthdays which led to talk of Farm Girl Days which lead to talk of Fall which led to Christmas! Now I'm listening to A Partridge in a Pear Tree. I wonder if I'll ever memorize the order of the maids a milking, lords a leaping, and nine ladies dancing?

I'm also eating a decadent snack, a fudge brownie with fudge frosting with a very virtuous glass of iced water. I'll be back to the kitchen in just a bit. I have a lot of vegetables from the garden, ours and friends' that are crying to be put up somehow. I think I'll try some zucchini bread as I have lots of squash. I have lots of cucumbers and tomatoes and green peppers as well. I also want to sort yet more things for what I hope will be my last yard sale this year. I have a dear friend Sherry who is having her Last Rummage Sale. She's moved to the country and is having it at the town house before it's all final.

Please notice my new recipe listing in the sidebar to see a little of what happens in my kitchen.

Laura
Abundantly Blessed

A New Blog and the SM Health Salad

My husband launched his new Saladmaster blog this week. He shared two of our favorite recipes- a delicious salad using cabbage instead of lettuce as the base and homemade coleslaw dressing.

Saladmaster is cookware (translated pots and pans etc) that you can use to cook without oil, shortening, or water. It helps keep the nutrition in your cooking. We've used it for over 18 years now. I think it's one of the reasons our kids like vegetables! Anyhow, if you're interested, you can check out his blog, SM Cooks. Do check out the salad. It's one of our favorites. We've just started using the lemon and granny smith apple. It's delicious without them as well. If you try the dressing, take note that I have only used sugar not Splenda. I'm not really sure how you would do it with stevia.

If you're interested in Saladmaster Cookware, he can tell you all about it or even cook dinner and demonstrate how it works for you if you're in the area.

Laura
Abundantly Blessed

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

One More Step and He's In!

I spent yesterday morning at the nearby community college with my oldest son. He's all enrolled. They're only waiting for the high school to send his transcript so that they can finish up his financial aid. If all goes well, it'll all be done this week. He spent the afternoon at orientation for his new job yesterday. He'll start that Wednesday. Life is going to get very busy very quickly for Matthew.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Abundant Provision!

Just Saturday:

1. $5 Bag Sale at the Thrift Store. I'm really good at packing a bag! I spent about an hour and a half with my little kiddles searching for clothes for the family. We filled the brown paper grocery bag full! When I went to pay, the lady said, "It's taken care of. It was the Lord." After I realized what she was saying, I just felt overtaken by God's grace and provision! Wow God!  When Lowell unpacked the bag, we counted 23 items including three nice dress shirts for him and something for every family member including Grandma! Wow God!

2. We got the notebooks, pens, and pencils we need for the year at Walgreens for less than $5! Wow God!

3. Lowell went to Redeemed, a used bookstore that sells homeschool books and traded a couple of boxes of books that someone had given to us for the three readers that I need for Amy. He came home with $163 that I can use for other school things we need and the fees for Matthew's enrollment at the community college! Super-Wow God!

4. Matthew got a job! Wow God!

5. A free movie from Redbox for hubby and I to enjoy after the kids were in bed last night! We watched Inkheart. It was a good action movie. It was also funny in places. It's rated PG. I do not recommend it for children, however. Too scary in places and a swear word in an early scene that was inappropriate in a PG movie were enough to keep us from allowing our children to view it. Teens and above would be fine, however.
Wow God!

And I thought it was just going to be another rainy Saturday!

Thank You God for your abundant provision just when we needed it and when I needed encouragement!

Laura

Friday, July 24, 2009

Good Advice as We Begin Our New Teaching Year

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty."

~Louisa May Alcott
Marmee's Advice in Little Women






No Rules Weekend Party






Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Early Mornings

I'm growing to love early mornings. I've gotten up early before; but, it was always begrudgingly. I've been getting up a few mornings a week to go to a water exercise class. I get there around 5:30 a.m. It's so quiet in town at that time. When I get home just before 7:00 a.m., it's still quiet. I like that.

I'm going to go read in my Bible and pray for a bit.
Then, I'm off to the kitchen to make brown sugar granola with the Hillbilly Housewife's recipe.

Laura

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

My Day Book, July 21, 2009


For Today, July 21, 2009

Outside my window... rain gently falling, quenching our thirsty garden...our rooster practicing his cockle-doodle-doo...our little back hens and our yellow footed black and white speckled hen hiding under cover...a cool 69 degrees.

I am thinking...about how to prepare for yet another yard sale as I try to rid my home of clutter and make some money for birthday gifts. We have three coming between now and mid-September.

I am thankful for...a roof over our head...the gentle rain shower...cool air...air conditioning when it's hot...friends and family...God's mercy and provision.

From the learning rooms...time off for the kids. I'm thinking over what I'll be doing for next year.

From the kitchen... I'll be making some coconut oatmeal cookies, a lunch of pancakes and eggs, and for dinner, chicken sandwiches made with leftover chicken breast from last night's chicken and dumplings.

I am wearing...a black and white knit dress with slip on grey sneakers. My hair's up and minimal make-up.

I am creating... a few new dishcloths. I'm needing a new batch. This time I'm making them smaller. I like the way smaller ones feel in my hand.

I am going...nowhere else today. I love a rainy day. I had to take one of the kids to the lab to have blood drawn today. Just general check-up type stuff.

I am reading... The Silver Needle Murder by Laura Childs. I enjoy her tea shop mysteries. I do not like her scrapbooking mysteries.

I am hoping... to get a lot of laundry caught up today.

I am hearing... not much but the squeak of the attic fan. The kids are cleaning their room downstairs. Ah, my little one just came in to ask, "Mommy, are you done?" Not quite yet.

Around the house...laundry and baking to be done...yard sale sorting to be done...always more cleaning to be done.

One of my favorite things... reading on a rainy day. Hmmm...maybe I need to put a little reading time on my to do list!

A few plans for the rest of the week...yard sale prep...sending my son job hunting in my car...school planning...lots of prayer for some big needs.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing....

My little Matthew who's grown to be my BIG Matthew.



Blessings,
Laura










Sunday, July 19, 2009

Strawberries and Parachutes


Who can beat homemade biscuits with homemade strawberry jam?
My Friend Beth called me and told me they had strawberries at Aldi for $ .69 a pound! I zoomed over and bought a flat. We ate some with homemade whipped cream. I jarred up a quart with sugar to use over cake or ice cream. Then I made up a batch of jam using the Sure Gel cooked recipe. I've got plenty of room in my freezer right now; but, I like to be able to put the jars on the shelf.
I taught Emily to make homemade biscuits using this recipe last year. Now I let her make most of our biscuits. She did so this morning; so, here I am writing about it. ~smile~
I hope you all have a wonderful day. It's been so pretty here. It was a beautiful day to go to yard sales yesterday. We also took an evening drive in the country and ended up following a number of parachute planes to the Show Me Chute Flyers Fly In. It was incredible watching what looked like a fancy go-cart with a propeller and a parachute take off and fly with the grace of a hot air balloon. It stirred in me the desire to fly again. My grandparents had small planes when I was a child. I have a photo of myself standing in the back of Grandpa Frank's airplane when I was barely old enough to stand! I grew up thinking everyone had an airplane. I was sure disappointed to find out it wasn't true. Well, maybe in time! If you're not familiar with these aircraft, click on the link for photos. Then, see if you can find an event in your neck of the woods. They are incredible to watch.
Blessings,
Laura

Thursday, July 16, 2009

If You Have Two or Three Witnesses...

A friend gave us a pile of pickling cucumbers. I've never made pickles of any kind; but, he said that they'd be good for pickle relish. Well, I've canned tomatoes and green beans and made jam and jelly. I got out my Ball Blue Book and looked up the recipe. It looked easy enough.

I took the book with me to the store this morning to make sure I didn't forget anything. The recipe called for green and red peppers. As I put them in my cart, I wished that ours were ready in our garden. I spent almost $5 on peppers! It called for celery seed. Yes, I've got that. Salt, yes. Sugar, yes. Onions, yes. Mustard seed. No, I'm sure I don't have that. Unfortunately, neither did the store. Nor did the next store or the next.

Finally, I found myself at Wal-Mart. My three children kept insisting that we had mustard seed at home. Impossible. I could not think of anything that I would have bought mustard seed to make. I've never pickled before. They persisted. I said no, it was dried mustard powder. I was so sure of myself. I bought a jar.
When I got home, my children presented me with the jar of seeds that I had put in the freezer!
"Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 Corinthians 13:1b
God's Word really does apply to every situation of our lives. I had three witnesses. I didn't believe them. I thought I knew better. I should have listened. I'm learning...just slowly!
Well, I must go get started on that relish.

54 Spoons!

At every meal we've been scrounging to find enough spoons for our family of 6. I've been looking at yard sales and so have a couple of my friends. The other night, as I was cleaning out a closet for a yard sale, I found a box of silver that my mother-in-law gave us several years ago. It had been forgotten sometime during our last two moves. It had stainless flatware mixed in. I was amazed! God had provided for our current need years ago and had me find it now! I was so excited I nearly cried at the sweetness of it. I didn't count it all; but, there were 54 spoons!

He does provide.

Thank you Jesus!

Laura

Monday, July 13, 2009

An Old Old Recipe for Oatmeal Cookies


I've been making these cookies ever since I can remember. I must have been 10 or 11 when I started making them. The recipe is typed out on a faded card that's bent and smudged. I like it because it doesn't use quite as much butter as most cookie recipes.


Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 c + 2 T butter
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 egg
1/4 c water
1 t vanilla

3 c oats
1 c flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 c raisins


Beat together butter, sugars, egg, water and vanilla until creamy.
Combine dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Mix well.
Stir in 1 cup raisins.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Let them set on the cookie sheet for a minute or two before removing them to a rack to cool.
Be ready with a glass of cold milk, a glass of lemonade or some iced tea.

You won't want to wait a moment longer than necessary to take that first nibble!


Note: Sometimes I just use 1 cup of butter since it's easier. I haven't noticed a difference. It will appear a bit gloppy for cookie dough. Let it set a few minutes, and it thickens.

Shared with:
Raising Homemakers - Old-Fashioned Friday

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Frightened of God... My Testimony


I went to a little after school Bible club when I was in first grade and in the beginning of second grade. Believe it or not, it was held in the school. I remember watching the flannel graph board as the teacher told the stories of Jesus. I never doubted that Jesus was a real person or that God was real. So, when the teacher taught us the Bible verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life," I believed her (John 3:16). In fact, that was the only verse that I remembered through the years. I loved my little classes and was sorry that I couldn't continue them when I moved to Kansas during second grade.

After I moved to Kansas, there was an occasional Vacation Bible School; but, for the most part, not a whole lot of training. My mom did teach me to say the child's prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mommy. God bless Daddy. God bless John. God bless Grandma and Grandpa...." You get the idea. Let me tell you; I wasn't too keen on the "if I should die before I wake" part! It kept me just a little afraid of God.

For a little while after my mom and dad divorced, we went to church with one of my mom's friends. I went to the 6th grade Sunday School class. I remember feeling like I was so hopelessly behind that I'd never learn this Bible stuff. I also remember feeling like the preacher was looking right at me when he gave the sermon. I tried to slouch down and disappear behind the grown ups around me.



As I grew older, I grew in sin and in stature and became a teenager. I had more to be ashamed of than just the confession I'd made in that class that I hit my brother. The teacher had asked me to confess my sin when I asked Jesus into my little heart. Now, I'd said hateful words, seen things on tv and movies that were bad, had bad thoughts, hit my brother more. You get the idea. Every once in awhile, I'd go over to a friend's house, and her religious mother would have Billy Graham or someone else on t.v. talking about God. I remember feeling intensely ashamed and frightened of God. I knew that I was dirty with sin. I knew He could see what I'd done and knew what I thought. I didn't run to Him, though. I ran away.

God didn't give up. I'd find tracts with the way to salvation lying around in public places. I had to read them. I had to find a way to get rid of this guilt that was building up. Even so, I just didn't quite believe it would work. I just knew I was going to go to hell. I was still frightened.



Finally, on New Year's Day, 1980, I was watching the PTL Club show. Jim Bakker was interviewing a lady who had been a drug addict. She had turned to Jesus, had been saved, and had been delivered from her drug addiction. A lightbulb went on in my head and my heart. This woman had done stuff that was way worse than what I'd done. Isn't it like us to compare even our sins to others' to try to make ourselves feel better? Anyway, I finally had this revelation:



If God had forgiven this woman, surely He could forgive me, too.



So, when Jim Bakker lead the sinners' prayer, I asked Jesus to forgive me and asked Him into my heart. I became a Christian that day January 1, 1980. I asked my mom if we could go to church. I knew Christians were supposed to go to church. She wasn't interested at that time. So, I had to think of something else. I kept watching PTL on the little t.v. in my bedroom that Grandma Mamie and Grandpa Frank had given me. It was a great way to start the day.


Soon it was time to go back to school. I saw a girl on the bus, named Kim, who had always been nice to me, even when others were mean. I went up to her and asked her to take me to church with her. After she picked herself up off the floor of the bus (just kidding), she agreed to take me to her church. I got permission from my mom and went to Rolling Hills Christian Church with her. It didn't occur to me that there might be more than one kind of church. God just took care of me. The next Sunday, Pat, the lady who lived on the property behind our 3 acres, showed up at our door to take me to church. And the next Sunday and the next Sunday and the next Sunday! She came with bulldog tenacity! Good thing, too. I didn't have a chance to get away from God this time. ~smile~


A few weeks later, I went forward at concert with my friend Kim and Pat's daughter. I actually thought they wanted me to go up because they were afraid to go up themselves. Surprise surprise! A couple of weeks later I went forward at church to confess Jesus, be baptised, and join the church. That little country church family became my family. They were there for me during some really hard things. Ah, but that's another story for another day.


Friend, are you frightened of God? Do you think you're too bad? Too sinful? Too dirty? I did, too. We are all bad, sinful, and dirty. BUT GOD made a way for us to come to Him and become good, righteous, and clean. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He said Himself that He is the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Him.


Jesus paid the price for our sins by taking our punishment on the cross at Calvary. "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9



We must run to God. We must confess. We must ask forgiveness. We must ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. God is willing and able to forgive our sins. He wants us.

Are you willing?


Laura



Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

Hi Y'all,

I came across a recipe for homemade dishwasher powder. I don't have a dishwasher myself; but, I know that my Friend Sherry and many of you have them. Erin uses Borax and washing soda mixed together to make her own powder. Then she uses 1 T per load. Those two products are so versatile!

You can read the recipe and more details at her blog, I Am Frugal.

Well, it's time for me to go do some cleaning up!
Laura


Suggested Reading:

Monday, July 6, 2009

A Laundry Dilemma Solved

I have switched to making my own laundry detergent last month. I make it with borax, washing soda and bars of ivory soap. I grate 3 small bars of Ivory soap. I add 2 cups of borax and 2 cups of washing soda. I mix it all together and put it in quart canning jars. I then use 2-3 T per load. Nothing new. You can find recipes for laundry detergent all over the web.

My problem came when I had an oily stain and no liquid laundry detergent to pretreat with. Hmmm. If Dawn dish soap takes grease away from your dishes and hands, why not clothes? So, I wetted the area, put just a drop or two of Dawn on the stain, added just a bit more water and scrubbed the area together. I then washed as usual with the homemade detergent. It worked! I then tried it on other stains as they came up. It worked, even on ketchup! I was so pleased. I've since tried Joy and a store brand of dish soap. They worked, too. So, I have a new stain remover without a new item on my grocery list!!

God bless you in your homemaking,
Laura

Shared with:
Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday

Sunday, July 5, 2009

My Treasures


My treasures, Matthew, Emily, Michael and Amy.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

An Independence Day to Remember

Like you, I'm sure, I have many memories of Independence days through the years.

I can remember going to the car races with my Grandpa Frank and Grandma Mamie and waiting, waiting, waiting for the races to be over. I wanted to watch the fireworks! I also remember flying in their little airplane to a nearby town to go to a town picnic in the park. I was so upset when Grandpa wanted to leave early before the fireworks. I was later thrilled to watch them from the air!

I remember standing out on Grandma Mamie and Grandpa Frank's front porch and playing with sparklers. Sparklers were my favorites. I used to try to write my name with them in the air. They were the next best thing to a real magical fairy wand. Hey, I was young! I wasn't that smart about sparkler safety, though. I dropped one on the porch and then stepped on it with a bare little foot. Yikes! I could wail with the best of them.

Grandma and Grandpa moved to Texas when I was a teenager. So, from then on, most of my Independence Days were celebrated on the third with my mom and step-dad. I'm not sure if we had the big cook out and shot the fireworks because it was their anniversary or because they didn't have to work the next day.

I remember my first Fourth of July as a young bride. We lived just half a block from the college football field where they were shooting the fireworks display. We invited my Dad and Annie to come and watch with us from our driveway. Unfortunately, we were downwind. We were inundated with smoke and debris falling from the sky. Annie was hit by what looked like a big piece of coconut shell.

Later, I remember watching with our babies. I remember covering their ears, hugging them closely, and watching their eyes wide with wonder at such a glorious sight. I don't remember any of them crying; but, they sure snuggled in close.

Ten years ago, I remember standing in our Pastor's front yard, with tears streaming down my face, as we watched the display from afar. We had been on our way to the park; but, it was excessively hot, I was excessively pregnant, and my mother was at death's door. I had just returned from seeing her. My, how she loved fireworks! She'd spend a fortune to get that display just right. Well, she waited until just after midnight to go home so that she wouldn't spoil the fourth. I'm quite sure she waited. She could have gone on the third, her anniversary. She could have gone on the fourth, a holiday. She could have gone on the sixth, her mom's birthday. She went on the fifth. I just can't help believing that she knew what she was doing.

Tonight, however, was quite memorable also. We spent the evening out in the country with friends at Charlie's Big Red Barn. It was open on both ends; and, the breeze was so nice that it stayed cool. We had a cookout with lots of friends then headed out to the Municipal park. We sat in our usual place at the edge of the golf course. We had all of our friends, Lowell's mother, and all of our little family. The kids played as we were waiting for the sun to set. I told the kids that I wanted them to come on up the hill and sit with us near the van when it got dark. Well it got dark alright. Just moments before the display began, drip-drip. Yes, it was sprinkling. Well, that's okay, we thought. We'll get a little damp. The display was gorgeous. This year they had a new kind of firework that had little white swirly sparkles interspersed with small bursts of purple. I just loved them. That's just about the time that our drips became drops and then, suddenly, a downpour! Boy everyone started to scramble for their cars! We were close; so, we got in and watched most of the rest of the display from the car. It did slow to a sprinkle near the end. So, we got out and watched the finale.

We came home soggy but happy. I have a feeling that this is an Independence Day that we won't forget!

Happy July!
Laura
~~~~~
May I suggest?
~~~~~


4th of July


Thursday, July 2, 2009

Remembering Respect




I remember as a young child, living in a big white two story house in Dearborn, Michigan. I have a variety of memories of living there:

-my first real birthday party on my sixth birthday,

-getting a bike for my sixth birthday,

-learning to ride my bike and Jimmy Roush not believing me,

-my first crush on Jimmy which was severely hampered by him not believing me,

-skinning my elbows and knees a lot,

- getting thorns in my bare feet from the big rose bush by the driveway,

-taking my mom's spoons to the yard to dig,

-playing with my friend next door, Becky who was in third grade and had to go to school all day,

-getting locked in the garage with the overhead door only a few inches open, yelling for help, and using a croquet mallet and sliding it across the ground outside the door to get attention,

-learning to pray every time I heard a siren. It was Detroit in 1970-72. There were a lot of sirens.

I also learned something from my mom and dad that is still dear to me. I learned a love for my country and a love and respect for our flag, the stars and stripes, the red, white and blue. We had what seemed to me the tallest flagpole in the world right in the middle of our front yard. I remember going out early in the morning, raising the flag, and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Never mind that I thought it said, "for witches stand". ~smile~ We didn't leave the flag out in the rain. We didn't let the sun go down on the flag. I was taught to fold it properly. I'm thankful for that.

A few years ago, my dad gave my husband a flagpole. As things went, he didn't get it put in the ground. It's still waiting in my garage. One day, I'll get hubby to set it up, even if it's in cement in a bucket. I look forward to the opportunity to pass on that love for the flag to my children. We'll hang the flag outside Saturday as a way of saying, "We're proud to be Americans, where at least we know we're free."

Thank You, God.
Thank you, Dad.

Laura

~~~~~
May I suggest?
~~~~~

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Grey Skies are Gonna Clear Up. Put on a Happy Face.

C. Emily Lane 2014

You know how sometimes you find something so good, you just don't want to keep it to yourself?

Today I'm sharing an article with you, with permission, from Nancy Campbell, the editress of Above Rubies. It's the most encouraging magazine and web-site that I know of for mothers and wives. If you enjoy it, please go to Mrs. Campbell's website, Above Rubies. Here's the article in its entirety.

Isaiah 3:9, “The show of their countenance doth witness against them.” Or here is a more modern translation - MLB, “The expression of their faces witnesses against them.”


"Most mornings two of my daughters, Evangeline and Serene, join me for our one-hour morning walk. We walk fast but we talk fast as well.
One morning I asked them the question, “How can we have a heavenly atmosphere in our homes?”

“Wear a happy face,” Evangeline immediately answered.
I didn’t expect that answer, but it was a good one. The face we wake up with will determine the atmosphere in our home for the day. Even if you are feeling depressed, it is important to put on a happy face – for your children and for your husband.

“But that’s not being real,” you answer.
I guess that depends on whether you prefer to give into your feelings or live by the power of Christ who lives within you! There are some who think that reality is living according to how you feel. This is actually deception. True reality is Galatians 2:20 – not living according to the dictates of my flesh or my emotions, but by faith, living the life of Christ who lives in me.

You will be amazed how your actions can change the way you feel. Perhaps you have been up all night with the baby. You feel tired. Put on a happy face anyway. Smile at your husband. Smile at each of your children. You’ll begin to feel better right away. Yes, you will. Just try it.

Perhaps you are in a negative mood. Everything is going wrong and self-pity is taking over. It’s already showing on your face! Stop. Look up to the Lord and smile at Him. Thank Him for your blessings. Thank Him that He is near you and will never leave you or forsake you. Now show your happy face to your children. Your gloominess will soon leave.

A downcast face will lock you into your tiredness or anxiety. A happy face will ignite a spark of joy in your heart.
A miserable face will sink you into self-pity. Put on a smile, even if it is the last thing you feel like doing, and you will feel your heavy burden lift.

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” The MLB says, “A happy heart makes the face look sunny.”

I like Proverbs 15:15 in the Living Bible, “When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful, everything seems right!”

And what about Proverbs 17:22 in the Good News Bible? “ Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.” Gloominess not only brings death to you, but to your whole family. It casts a shadow over your home.

Dear mother, just as you look to the Lord and are changed into His image, so your children look to you and their lives are affected by your countenance. (Wow, that is a powerful truth!) Yes, they will grow to be like your countenance. I know you have heard the expression, “Looks can kill!” The expression on your face can bring death or life to your home.
A smiling face and a positive attitude can become part of your life. Make it a habit. Show it by example to your children. Don’t allow your children to get into moods, to be grumpy, or to pout! We never allowed this for one second in our children and they don’t battle with any of these attitudes today.

Last Sunday Evangeline arrived at our home after church. She had a breast infection and had such a high fever that she could no longer feel her fingers. She could hardly walk but she still confessed that she was “terrific” even though she was wiped out with the fever! She had never learned the habit of being miserable.

Dear nation changer, put on a happy face, and change the atmosphere of your home.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL


^^^^^^^
I so need this in my life. I'm afraid that my natural tendency is not cheerfulness. May God help me and you to put a smile on our faces.

God bless you today,
Laura

It's July 1st...

Happy New Year!

July first in Missouri is officially the first day of the new school year in Missouri. If you're a public school teacher or parent, that probably doesn't matter one iota to you. BUT, if you're a homeschooling parent, you can start recording all of the educational activities your child does on July 1st.

If you're new to homeschooling, or just considering it, know that it is so worth it. You can find information about homeschooling and your state's requirements at the Homeschool Legal Defence Association website.

So, happy new year homeschool families!

Laura