Praise God from Whom all Blessing Flow!

I praise for for electricity today. Ü What a blessing it is.

Yes we have electricity...

... but I'm saying a prayer for those who don't!

I'm also taking photographs out my door of all the loverly "paintings" in my yard. Beautiful pictures of the winter wonderland! What an adventure. I'll share later.

ETA: Here they are... isn't it beautiful? WOW!

Low Carbohydrate Dieting

I've recently read How I Gave Up My Low Fat Diet and Lost Forty Pounds! by Dana Carpender. (Yep -- that's a D -- not a T).

I have tried NO carb - or the ATKINS way.. but that's just not normal. Ü So -- dear husband and I are going to try the LOW CARB way of Dana Carpender. I'm wishing for a recipe book by her as well at PaperBack Swap. Hey -- you can Join our club and swap paperback books for FREE - PaperBackSwap.com

Anyway... I'm going to add this book to my list. Didn't even think of my goal when I started reading this book. But -- I'm on my way.

BIGGEST LOSER

I have joined the HearthKeepers Biggest Loser Round 6 competition.

I'm a little bit nervous.

I did BL1... lost -- um... 2 pounds, I think. I gained and lost those same 2 pounds over and over again... if I remember right.

So -- what different about now? I'm not anyone's only source of nutrition. I think that makes a difference. We'll see.

I'm not really thinking I'll win... but I need a little kick in the hiney... so -- this is it. We weigh in on March 2. Eeekkkk.. I'm nervous. Did I already say that? Yeah -- I did...

Yeah -- but I have that little goal... 140 by Christmas? Was it 140? Hmmm... yeah... I'm nervous. :/


OH AND... my dh did this "fitness" thing at work. His company paid for it -- actually his companies insurance company foot the bill I think. We've heard through the grape vine that the insurance company uses these numbers to set the companies premiums. But you know how a factory is -- rumors spread like wild fire. But he did it anyway. They did a BMI thing on him. Drew some blood. He got this 20,000 page booklet tell him how he can improve. Where he is high risk that sort of thing. In order for him to be healthy.. he needs to lose 23 pounds. Now -- you tell me -- is that fair? NO WAAAYY! But -- actually that tells me that my hubby has a TON of muscle. Ü Yeah -- I knew that already. A hunk! Now he's ready to go... he's going to be a lean, mean, fighting machine. LORD -- help... I want to keep up! Help me to keep up! I sort of want to do one of these read outs... I want to know how much I need to lose to be healthy. Maybe my goal is too lofty... Actually his goal that he had set in his mind would have him losing muscle along with fat. He would have been hindering himself if he would have tried to get to his goal that he'd set in his mind. Interesting...

So now -- I want to take a test... (Hear that in a super high whiny voice, that I'm so good at...)

Ü

Amazing Grace

Any one plan on seeing Amazing Grace?

I read about it on the WORLD VIEW BLOG today. I think I might try to finagle a date out of the deal. ;)

I like this trend of Hollywood giving us a good movie every now and then. I think I'll vote with the dollar this time. :D

I WON -- I WON!!!

°Ü°

Friday night my dear husband went to see the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestle. He took our own 7 year old wrestler along with him. They went with a group of men from church. It was a poor match I'm afraid... but the fellowship was sweet, I hear. A few of the old men... oops... a few of the men with some accumulated years under their belt were overheard to say, "If I were in that good of shape -- I would be able to whip them." I think the problem was... that the Hawkeyes knew they could beat the opposing team, so they weren't trying all that hard. Thus -- they were making it look easy. There were a lot of stalemate calls. That makes for slow wrestling. Poor old fogies... oops... poor men with hoary heads... time has a way of deceiving us I think. But that's o.k. I think they were wanting to see some wrestling of the caliber of "having a little fire in their bellies!"... not to be seen at the Carver Hawkeye Arena. Maybe another time.

Well -- the competition was pretty fierce here at the Johnston Arena. If you'll remember... a Monopoly Game was scheduled here!

Tori assembled the Monopoly board, and all the paraphernalia. I was given a choice of "Players" and I chose the iron. I thought it represented me well -- as that is one thing I'm fairly good at. Humble sort of job. Not much adulation in ironing, but I get the job done. Behind the scenes sort of deal. She chose the bag of gold. Maybe that was her down fall... too greedy? Wishful thinking? Relying on the luck o' the Irish? I'm not sure. But I'll tell you one thing. SHE'S not a QUITTER. Ha ha haaa... We started the game at 7:00 p.m. We sent the littles to bed at 8:00, and continued play until a little after nine, when she was down to her last $1. Finally we called it quits. I WON!!! "Whew," I said, "Wasn't that fun!?!" She replied, "Well -- it's always fun when you win." Yeah -- she's right... I'll have to keep that in mind.

OK -- now don't be pointing out to me the advantage I had over her by a few years... remember... she probably can run faster than I can now. I've got to keep on winning some how. I'm an extremely prideful person -- I'll not lose to any of my children on purpose. NEVER!!! Be it Candyland, or who can beat to the van, or I can multiply faster than you, or MONOPOLY! I believe in aiming high!

Well -- at least she didn't cry. That's a plus!

First time in 3 weeks...

I excercised this morning.

I may be a slacker -- but I'm not a quitter.

Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times...

New Prayer Concern

If you will go to Team Jillian you will be able to read about our family's new prayer concern. We are praying that the Lord's will be done. I hope you will save their blog to your favorites so you can be an informed prayer.

I'm helping out a friend...

... she has written a book about keep your house clean. It has the work LOUSY in it. That fits me to a "T". LOL!!

Well -- by following her plan, I have nothing to do today. Ha ha haaa... You know -- if I have 5 kiddos.. my day is always full. But today is "going to town day", and I'm not going.

So I plan to stay at home and relax, keep the floor picked up, and doing a little reading out loud with the kiddos. Doesn't that sound fun?

No laundry, no baking, no balancing the checkbook, no paying bills, no gardening, no... nothing! Ü Yippee...

My dh plans on leaving the house today with the grappler in tow. They are going to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestle. So there will be less of us here... maybe I'll whip up some carmel pop corn and we'll have a Monopoly fest. Ohhh... now -- that sounds like fun to me.

Did some editing...

I'd forgotten about child safety over here in my blogger world. Rocks in My Dryer posted about her actions that she takes to make sure her family is secure... just got me to re-thinking.

She mentioned in this blog about SiteMeter. Ohh... now that's a neat discovery. I can still keep track of how many visitors -- but now I can also see WHO is visiting... somewhat. Neat deal.

Check it out -- if you haven't already. Doesn't hurt to be more secure.

So -- no more names. I'll keep posting photos -- because I like to share them with my family. Does my family come to visit? Not very often. ;) But that's o.k... when they do... they can see the kiddos. They already know their names...

Riding In Tandem

I don't have much time this morning... but someone posted this on HearthKeepers this morning -- I pray you all will take the time to read this blog.

Riding in Tandem

Excellent Read!

I think I may subscribe to that blog. I just happened to pick up a book at our church library last night called Don't Waste Your Life. Have you read it yet? I'm about to start -- hope it's not a waste of time. (OK -- that was just a joke)...

Gotta scoot... the kiddos are awake and ready to start the day!!

2007 Garden

I do believe this is my first gardening post of the year. I did it -- I ordered some seeds. I've officially started my planning phase. Woo hoo...

I order the following "stuff" from JUNGS. They are celebrating their centennial this year -- so there are some bargains to be found.

Sweet William Double Mix
Herb Chives
Midwest Wildflower Mix
Echinacea Doubledecker
Celebration Glads
Pea Goliath Snow
Onion Plants Candy Hyb
Lettuce Jung's Caesar Salad Blend
Sweet Corn Radiance Bicolor
Bean Top Crop Bush
Garlic Elephant

We have done absolutely no landscaping... well except for those spindly little mums I plopped into the ground a few years ago. I plopped 5 -- I think 2 have lived. So -- those don't count. But this spring. It looks like I can add some glads, and some echinacea to the mix. I bought the wildflower mix and the sweet Williams for the tops of our cave. It is rather hard to mow... often you see caves covered with tall grass (or weeds)... so we'd like to have our covered with wild flowers. Last season we splurged on the WAL-MART mix that comes in a box. I think there are about 2 seeds in there with a lot of filler thrown in for good measure. Well - that's about what we got -- 2 plants maybe... so I'm going to go ahead and be a little bit more spendy this year. Woo hoo... I hope it pays off. Ü I like wild flowers.

Now -- for the actual garden. We are going to have some SWEET CORN!!! Yippy Skippy! I'm so excited. Normally we buy some at the farmer's market. But I'd like some fresh off the stalk! Yep... I'd like to try.

Last year we planted a row of peas -- that was about 1 meal worth. Whoa... so -- that's a bust. This year -- snow peas. Hoping we get a few more results from all that work. We'll eat the pod and all this year. Less waste.

CANDY ONIONS -- my sister who lives in Colorado has a gardener friend/expert who gave her some onions the size of softballs and they didn't make her eyes water. She was telling me all about them as she was slicing up my miniature excuse for an onion that was extremely volatile. My word... if you wear contacts it's not quite so bad. But if you have no sphere of plastic covering the eyeball -- then boy do those puppies make your eyes water. So I called Karen and said, "Hey Karen -- what sort of onions did your gardener friend/expert give you?" You know what she did? She called him -- she asked him -- and e-mailed me the response. Candy Onions. I found them at Jungs. I almost gave up -- but I found them under the hybrid section. So -- apparently they aren't made just as God made them... but I don't care... I don't like watery eyes when I'm using a sharp utensil. That's just plain dangerous. (Plus mine were puny).

Beans -- we had success with beans last year -- this year I need to buy more SEVIN -- because the bugs also had success with the beans last year. We harvested about 2 crops of beans (do you say that with beans?) Then I gave up and let the bugs have them. I pray that they all were gluttonous fools and they ate themselves to death and won't return for another round. PLUS -- I'm going to buy SEVIN in BULK this year. No ensy densy little shaker for me... I'm going for the 10# BAG of SEVIN. Ü Kill those bugs!!! Those beans are MINE!!! Plus -- I'm looking around for a canner... I may try to can some beans. This year I froze them... might try a little canning... we'll see.

And GARLIC -- yep -- I just blogged about garlic this morning. BOUGHT some... I pray the dog doesn't find them this year. Maybe I'll put up an electric fence around my garlic. Elephant Garlic at that -- hopefully their roar will scare the dog away... I don't think that's why they got their name -- I think it is because they are huge. But -- it's worth a try.

I like how seed catalogs show how huge or small something is. The elephant garlic was shown lying next to an ink pen. Have you ever seen a green bean next to a nickle? I saw that in another catalog. Too funny... really puts things in perspective for you. No falsehood there -- smart thinking.

Honest Abe - these are just the size of a penny... HONEST. (tee hee... really poor attempt at humor there...)

OK -- so -- it must be past my bed time. I'm getting a little giddy. Who needs drugs when a little lack of sleep will send you right on over the edge?

Tomorrow -- a new day -- it's the kiddos' Home School Co-op Activity Day VALENTINES DAYS WING DING!!! Woo hoo... chocolate abounds... that is -- if I don't eat it all before we leave in the morning. Eeeekkkk...

Happy Dreaming... spring is just around the corner. Get your gloves washed. Start practicing those knee bends. Dig out the rubber clogs... yeah -- my husband said I was a dork for buying those. Ha haa.... HEY -- they work! Just spray 'em off when you're done. But you can't really run the tiller in them -- they are too cute for that. No traction...

It's a RAFFLE!!!

The 7yo wrestler, is selling raffle tickets for his wresting fund raiser this year. The tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5. (What a bargain!)

The raffle tickets are for a twin size patchwork quilt - made out of denim. There are actually 2 quilts, so there will be 2 drawings, and you will have 2 chances of winning, with each ticket.

He would appreciate any support you could give.

We will be accepting paypal! ;)

THANK YOU - A WRESTLING MOM!

Self-Control

Personal Evaluation—How Much Self-Control Do You Have?

* Do you give more time to spiritual pursuits than to the pleasures of the world?
* Do you bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?
* Do you control your eating or allow yourself to indulge in food?
* Do you acknowledge your weakness so you can experience the power of Christ?
* Do you literally cry out to God for deliverance from addictions?
* Have you asked your heavenly Father to fill you with His Spirit?
* Do you respond to each test of the Spirit by thanking God for His purposes and then looking for benefits if you respond correctly?
* Do you remove provisions for indulgences so you will not fulfill them?

This character lesson is taken from The Power for True Success.

I was reading at IBLP today about Self-Control. It mentioned -- how to have self-control. GREAT I was thinking... I really need self-control in order to lose weight. I need to meet my goal! NEED to.

So I started listing what they said in my journal...

First receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I've done that.
Ask the Father to fill me with the Spirit. I've done that.
Once we are filled - we are taken through trials and testing that will require us to die to ourselves and our natural inclinations. OK -- I'd say I've been taken through testing.
Passing each test requires that we thank God for His purpose in them by looking for benefits and then crying out to God if there is need for deliverance. This must be where I fail. Looking for benefits of the trials? I'm sure I don't do that. Can I tattoo that on my right hand -- so I will remember to do that DURING the time of the trial. I'm fairly certain that during the trial -- I'm a little self absorbed. I don't automatically think, "What is the benefit of this trial?" I know that my trials are even trivial compared to some trials. I'm thinking of Melissa Snow right now. Talk about trials. Shwhewww... I have no trials when I compare myself to others. BUT -- I do have trials. I don't react in a godly manner all the times. So -- DURING the trial... look for the benefits.

Then the next step. Crying out to God if there is a need for deliverance. I think I do that -- I bawl like a baby and say, "Why me???" But -- does that count? I don't think so. I'm skipping the looking for benefits step. OH GOD!!! Help me to remember that -- there are so many areas of my life that could benefit from a little self control.

Dare I list them?

EATING -- uggggghhhh.
Daily Physical Exercise
Daily Bible reading
Anger
Keeping the clutter under control
Computer time
Bed time
Having in real life friends
Showing love for others...

OK -- I'll stop now before I start descending into that bottomless pit of self-pity. YUCK!

Alrighty then... SELF-CONTROL. I've learned something new today. Let's see how it goes from here. Will I just be a hearer of the word... or a doer of the word?

2Pe 1:4-6 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

You know what I did??

I used a garlic poultice. Have you ever used one?

I have a cold. A WHOPPER of a cold. It started Sunday. I probably got it from some of the kiddos. I took my 5yo son into the clinic, if you remember, to be treated for croup. Then my 3yo daughter got a croupy cough a few days later. My cold didn't seem to be getting any better. By Monday evening, I really felt like I was getting an infection. I took my temperature and it was 99.4°F. Eeekkk... I've had a sinus infection before, and it knocked me for a loop for almost a week. Finally went on antibiotics for that. So this time, I decided to try something at home first. °Ü° I'm so cheap...

The above link explains it fairly well -- that is probably the first place I'd read about it. I did the paper towel method, only I put my smashed garlic in the paper towel in the microwave for 10 seconds, then ran it under warm water. This stuff is potent... I would hold the wet paper towel holding the smashed garlic unto my face where ever it felt tender. You know how when you press on your face and it just hurts when you are sick. Where ever it hurt -- I'd put the garlic until I felt a stinging sensation. Garlic oil can actually cause a burn, so as soon as it stung... I'd move it. I put it up on my forehead, between my eye brows, under my eyes on my cheek bones. Right smack on top of my nose. Even on my throat under my ears. And ON my ears. My ears ached too.

I didn't feel immediate relief. I wasn't sure what to expect... so after a bit of this -- I got bored of it and threw it away.

BUT the next morning -- I was amazed!!! It seemed to me that I didn't have any infection. My stuffed up nose and head ache were gone. But I wasn't 100%. My voice was croaking sounding the next morning, as if the mucus has moved down unto my vocal cords. But I definitely didn't feel as sick as I did the day before. Normal temps had returned.

So last night, I made another one. And I put it on my face and neck again. I bet I smell wonderful this morning. I lay in bed this morning breathing freely through my nose. Wonderful! I know people don't do this because they think "natural medicine" is for quacks... Well -- I'm a quack. Too funny... Much cheaper than a Dr. visit, and I won't be getting a yeast infection from it either. ;)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I'm so glad He created garlic.

I use garlic oil for ear aches around here too. I have for several years in fact. So garlic is becoming my friend. I planted a bit in my garden last year -- you know my dog ate it. Dumb dog. I'm going to have to plant a big more this year and guard it more carefully. Ü I got some from a friend from church last year -- and have frozen it. It still works... I'll tell you that much!

So -- am I cured? No -- I still have my cold... but I do believe that the infection that I felt was setting in -- has left the premises.

AND -- my Pastor's wife brought over some soup for supper last night. What a lady she is... that's probably what had the healing touch. All that chicken noodle soup. My family loved it. °Ü°

Google Quote of the Day

Santa Claus is clearly what Jesus would be if he was real. Nobody would ever consider nailing this omnibenevolent deity to anything, would they? Nor does he hold anything against you longer than a year. - Steve James

Woah... LORD -- please bring someone into this man's life that can show him that Jesus Christ is real! Show Mr. James his need for a Saviour! Thank you Lord for the reminder that there are those who are LOST -- they are LOST and heading for a very real eternal hell. Thank you for the wake up call today. Oh me...

I clicked on the link to read more about Steve James, and it lead me to the place that google gets the quotes about athiesm. There are 24 of them. I guess I'll have 24 more opportunities to Praise God that I haven't been deceived. 24 more chances to pray for our godless world. 24 more changes to give thanks to our God for sending His Son to die on the cross for my most horrendous sins, and wash me as white as snow, spotless, never to be returned to that state again. Thank you Lord!

a MUST see movie!!!

Facing the Giants is a fantastic movie! My dh's friend from work dropped it off at our house this morning. I had never heard of it before today. Amazingly enough, I just read about it on a MOMYS e-mail loop.

It's available from NETFLIX now... and my dh saw it available at Wal-Mart yesterday. If there is anyway possible... I recommend you go and get this movie and view it with your family.

This movie was created by a CHURCH. All through the movie I kept thinking, "There is no way this is a Hollywood movie." But the quality is Hollywood quality. Very good sound. The acting isn't B movie acting, but it isn't superbly polished... but by the end of the movie -- that didn't matter much, because I was watching it through my tears.

What an amazing message. They take the gospel of Jesus Christ and they just splay it out for all to see. I want to say THANK YOU to Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA for putting themselves out on the line for Jesus. Donating time, and resources. Fantastic ministry this is. Thank you for making this available to us. Thank you for giving us a tool to talk about Jesus. Thank you for giving us a tool to present Jesus to our children in another positive way.

Coach Mark Richt appeared as himself in the movie Facing the Giants, which is a bonus at our house. We really appreciate Mr. Richt and all he is doing to proclaim the gospel in his line of work. He is making a big impact in his arena. Praise God for that!

Fantastic Movie!!! Fantastic... Let me know what you think about it.

Experiencing GOD...

Another book read. I'll admit -- some of these are smallish books -- I probably shouldn't count them as 1 book read... but content wise... this is the BIGGEST book so far, for me. Whoa!!!

Experiencing God through PRAYER, by Madame Guyon.

One of my biggest fears, and I think I blogged about it... is losing the hearts of my dear children. So as I was reading along in this little book, I kept thinking, "Man alive... I should read this out loud to the kiddos. They need to know this. I wonder if they could catch this if we read it slow and all together?" Then she wrote,

I beseech you all, especially those in charge of other souls, teach them at once the way of Jesus Christ. No, not I, but Jesus Himself calls you to this by the very blood He has shed for those entrusted to you

Oh... I guess that answers my question. I'm fairly certain she is talking to the preachers and teachers in that sentence, but according to the Bible, I'm the one who should be teaching my children in the way that they should go.

Teach the young to pray, not by reasoning or by method or by understanding, but by the prayer from the heart -- the prayer of God's Spirit rather than man's invention.

That's exactly it -- that's the answer to my question. I am going to use this book with them. I'm going to start today!

Go, then, you poor children, to your heavenly Father. Speak in your natural language. Although it may be simple and crude to you, it is not so to Him. An earthly father is more pleased to be addressed with love and respect because it comes from the heart rather than with dry, barren, elaborate words. Undisguised emotions of love are infinitely more expressive than all language or reasoning.

I'm shaking my head at how I am seeing the Holy Spirit work in my life. Matthew 11.25 says, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and has reveals them unto babes." Thank you for making the simple wise. I pray that my children will catch it and the matters of the heart will become very important to them. Learn at a young age to trust in you and Experience you! Experience GOD!

Oh and... where did I find this book? From paperback swap... of course. Haven't you signed up yet? ;)

Another Good Book

Thanks to PaperBack Swap I've just finished another good book.

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Of course - as with several other good books - I've seen the movie. But -- as with other movies made from classics -- it doesn't hold a candle to the book! ;)

I was loving the book, devouring it actually, when I came across this statement and just sat in awe that it was in a children's book.

One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts -- just mere thoughts -- are as powerful as electric batteries -- as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in you may never get over it as long as you live.

Believe it or not -- I've read that before somewhere... now where was it. ;)

(Philippians 4:8-9) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Matthew Henry says:

We are exhorted to get and keep a good name, a name for good things with God and good men: Whatsoever things are true and honest (Phi_4:8), a regard to truth in our words and engagements, and to decency and becomingness in our behaviour, suitable to our circumstances and condition of life. Whatsoever things are just and pure, - agreeable to the rules of justice and righteousness in all our dealings with men, and without the impurity or mixture of sin. Whatsoever things are lovely and of good report, that is, amiable; that will render us beloved, and make us well spoken of, as well as well thought of, by others. If there is any virtue, if there is any praise - any thing really virtuous of any kind and worthy of commendation. Observe, 1. The apostle would have the Christians learn any thing which was good of their heathen neighbours: “If there be any virtue, think of these things - imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let not them outdo you in any instance of goodness.” We should not be ashamed to learn any good thing of bad men, or those who have not our advantages. 2. Virtue has its praise, and will have. We should walk in all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; and then, whether our praise be of men or no, it will be of God, Rom_2:29.
In these things he proposes himself to them for an example (Phi_4:9): Those things which you have learned, and received, and heard and seen in me, do. Observe, Paul's doctrine and life were of a piece. What they saw in him was the same thing with what they heard from him. He could propose himself as well as his doctrine to their imitation. It gives a great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they have seen in us. And this is the way to have the God of peace with us - to keep close to our duty to him. The Lord is with us while we are with him.

That is a good reason to choose the best books out there for our children to read. I believe Ambleside Online is really making that a goal for the parents who use it. I'm so glad Barb recommended AO to me. We've been using it faithfully for 16 weeks now, with my 11yo and my 7yo. I'm doing a lot of reading of the books they recommend for free reading, as well as reading some of the required books ahead of them -- I want to KNOW what they are reading for school -- and what a lot I have learned. There are some fantastic living books out there for children, and I don't understand why a parent would allow a child to wallow about reading twaddle when there are so many good choices available to them.

So -- here is another recommendation from me. Get The Secret Garden as soon as you can. NOT the movie -- although if you are looking for a good family movie -- that would be better than BRATZ or something along that line. If you must watch TV... then you must... but Oh -- the joy of snuggling up with 5 kiddos and cracking open a new "living book". The conversation that will start! "Hey kids... does that paragraph remind you of a certain verse in the Bible? How do you think that applies to Master Colins' situation? If you were an invalid like him, would you throw tantrums? If you didn't have a mother to love you, how would you react when your father left town for months on end? What is your favorite thing to think upon when you are feeling gray and cold? What if..." °Ü°