Mother of Seven + 2

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." II Cor. 4:7 Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net   Alone - I am nothing. Just an earthen vessel, Humble and Lowly. God saw fit To put within A treasure. Christ in me - A light to the world, Strength for the day, Hope for tomorrow. No longer alone. "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." II Cor. 4:8,9

This week I was reminded how rapidly life can change.  Wednesday evening we took our son, Alex, to the ER for severe abdominal pain and a high fever.  He ended having surgery for a bad case of appendicitis.  We have been at the hospital ever since.  He turned a corner for the better last night, and we have seen steady improvement today.  We are hopeful that he will go home tomorrow. I had plans for this week, although now I can't really even seem to remember what they were.  They were insignificant in light of the present circumstance.  I had plans for next week too.  My husband and I were looking forward to a few days away to attend a convention at the college we graduated from, but now we need to stay home.  The children had plans as well.  They were counting on "an early spring break" from school.  Everything changed so quickly. Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Many are the plans in a man's heart, but i...

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Sometimes the burdens of life feel heavy.  Impossible situations loom and threaten to crush our very being.  Illness, death, natural disasters, broken relationships, disputes, and troubles of this world surround us.  No escape seems possible.  Discouragement invades our souls. "I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." (Eph. 3:13) No place to turn.  That is no one to turn to except God.  Our own human resources have come to an end. "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name." (Eph. 3:14,15) Remembering our Maker.  The Mighty One who creates by breathing a word.  The Almighty who has more power in his little finger then all the natural disasters that leave us helpless.  The Holy One whose plans our finite minds cannot comprehend.  How can we not kne...

We were encouraged in our fostering classes to consider the birth parents.  One exercise we had to complete was writing a letter to the birth parents.  When we signed the adoptive placement agreement for our children, we did send a letter to the birth parents.  I don't have a copy of the original letter, and I wish I had kept one.  However, I remember much of what we wrote, so I've reconstructed it here.  By our own choosing our adoptions are open adoptions.  I'm sharing this letter because it has played an important role in our relationship with the birth parents. Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Dear Birth Parents, We know this will be a difficult letter for you to read.  However, we pray it will help put your mind at ease.   The well-being of your children concerns you.  We promise we will care for them, provide for their needs, and love them as our very own.  Each of your children is a treasure from heaven....

If you are a chocolate lover, you will want to try this recipe.  I clipped it out of a Taste of Home magazine years ago.  It is rich and lusciously delicious, and totally unhealthy.   Just remember God gives us all good things, and enjoy it in moderation.  A little goes a long ways with this recipe.  Brownie Pudding Cake Topped with ice cream and pudding sauce drizzled over it. Sauce: 1/2 c packed brown sugar 1/4 c baking cocoa 1 1/2 c boiling water Cake: 1 c. all purpose flour 1/2 c sugar 1/4 c baking cocoa 1 1/2 t baking powder 1/4 t salt 1 egg, beaten 2 T butter or margarine, melted 1 t vanilla extract 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips vanilla ice cream In a saucepan, combine sauce ingredients and keep warm.  In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, butter, and vanilla; add to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Pour into a...

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing."  I Cor. 13:1-3 Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Have you ever tried putting your name into the famous Love Chapter?  Natasha is patient . Natasha is kind. She does not envy, She does not boast, She is not proud. (Are you cringing yet?  I am.) Natasha is not rude, or self-seeking, She is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Natasha does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Natasha always protects, Always trusts, Always hopes, Always perseveres, Natasha's love never fails. My love does fail, but God's love does not. ...

This is a requested favorite of our children.   This is the easiest and fastest way to make French Toast for a large family. Oven Baked French Toast 1 loaf of French bread, cut in two inch cubes  (I use odds and ends of regular bread heels and slices that have been leftover from toast at breakfast.  I throw them in a baggy in the freezer until I have the equivalent of a loaf of bread.) 8 eggs 3 c milk 4 t sugar 3/4 t salt 1 T vanilla 1/2 c cinnamon/sugar mixture (1/2 c. sugar, 2 t cinnamon) Place bread cubes tightly in greased 13x9.  Beat eggs, milk, sugar, salt and vanilla.  Pour over bread; cover.  Refrigerate 6-36 hours.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.  Remove, baste w/butter.  Sprinkle generously with cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Return to oven for 5-10 minutes.  Serve with applesauce on the side.  (My kids dip their bites in the applesauce.) Special Note:  Though this is crisp on top, I've found ...

Sometimes a body just feels out of place.  Being of a shy nature, I felt that way a lot growing up.  I especially remember feeling that way in high school.  I was different from my peers.  I wasn't interested at all in the party scene.  My values system was completely different.  As a Christian this world is not my home, though.  So it would only be natural to feel like an "alien or stranger" here.  Peter tells me in I Peter 2:11 that I am an alien or stranger in this world and as such I should have no part of sinful desires which war against my soul. It is a comfort though to find in God's Word that there is a place where I am not an alien or stranger, but a place where I am a fellow citizen with God's people.  I like to know that I belong.  I like to know that my home has a firm foundation.  My foundation is the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone.  Everything in my home has to square up with...

Everything Romance is as it's subtitle states "a celebration of love for couples."  It is a delightful collection of quotes, short stories, poetry, trivia, recipes, date and gift ideas, and the do's and don'ts of romance.  It is a fun book to flip through and read. The quotes were probably my favorite part of the book.  Many famous people's words about love are quoted throughout the book.  Mother Teresa said, "It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving."    Dr. Seuss said, "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."  Albert Einstein said, "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute and it seems like and hour; sit with a pretty woman for an hour and it seems like a minute.  That's relativity."  These are just a few of the quotes that will keep you turning pages to look for more. The book contains nearly 20 short stories that will...

I've had several comments appreciating the recipe for the Many Muffins Mix because it contains healthy whole grains.  So, I thought I would share our favorite pancake recipe.  I made these this morning for breakfast, and the kids were super excited.  Of course, that's because we usually have cold cereal.  They enjoyed the change.  I admit I'm not much of a cook come early in the morning.  But it was nice having them all say "thank you" for breakfast, so I just might have to do it more often.  Whole Grain Pancakes 2 eggs 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup quick oats (or I chop the whole oats to a finer consistency in my blender) 1 1/2 cups milk 1/4 c. canola oil 2 T sugar 2 T baking powder 1 t salt Beat eggs with a fork until fluffy.  Then stir in remaining ingredients just until smooth.  For thinner pancakes add additional 1/2 cup of milk.   Heat griddle to 350. (I use my large non-stick griddle, but you can do these in a s...

Early one morning about a year ago, I was up and in the shower preparing mind and body for the day.  When I was finishing up, I dropped the bar of soap.  As I was reaching to pick it up, my foot suddenly slipped.  Next thing I knew I was a crumpled heap in the bottom of the tub.  On my way down, I hit my head hard behind my right ear on the porcelain sink beside the tub.  At first I thought I was going to pass out, but I managed to crawl out, wrap a towel around me and stumble to our bedroom.  I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to get my bearings as my husband attempted to help me.  For awhile I thought I was going to throw up.  The pain was intense.  It took a good part of the day for me to start feeling normal again.  Nausea, impaired movement, muddled thought processes, dizziness, and even blurred vision were the result of hitting my head.  I found my head controlled many responses in my body.  The head is the...