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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

How He Loves Us

HE IS JEALOUS FOR ME!!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Chicken Nuggets

This is a good, simple, meal the whole family will love :) We eat it a few times a month.
Easy to double when feeding friends!
30 Chicken Nuggets
Preheat Oven to 400*
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried thyme
1 Tbsn dried basil
1/2 c melted butter
Cut chicken into nugget size pieces - about 1 1/2 inches
Combine all dry ingredients
Dip chicken into butter, then coat with breading and place on baking sheet
Bake 20 mins, flipping them over at 10 mins.

Psalm 116


I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.
The cords of death encompassed me
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!"
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
For You have rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the LORD
In the land of the living.
I believed when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
I said in my alarm,
"All men are liars."
What shall I render to the LORD
For all His benefits toward me?
I shall lift up the cup of salvation
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I shall pay my vows to the LORD,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His godly ones.
LORD, surely I am Your servant,
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
You have loosed my bonds.
To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And call upon the name of the LORD.
I shall pay my vows to the LORD,
Oh may it be in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the LORD'S house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

An Exciting Word

What comes to mind when I say, “Modesty?”



“It's kind of a boring connotation.”
“Fully covered—almost not wanting to have any style to their dress.”



Modesty can sound like an idea that’s out of date, but actually, it’s wonderful.
• Modesty brings you peace. You can rest knowing you’re being obedient to God.
• Modesty gives you power. You’ll be free from constantly changing fads.
• Modesty provides protection. You’ll be less likely to get the wrong kind of attention from
the wrong kind of men.
• Modesty promotes purity. You’ll be more likely to get the right kind of attention from the
right kind of guys.
• Modesty leads to praise. Others will value you for inward qualities, more than unreliable
physical characteristics.



Remember what God’s Word says: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

By: Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bath Time


Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Little Things

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee rule over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord"
Matthew 25:21.

Doing little things can often seem so insignificant, can't
they? Especially menial things. Tedious things. The
things that you have to do over and over again like
making beds, doing laundry, doing dishes and preparing
meals. Can I remind you that no little thing is insignificant?
Little things accumulate and add up to big things. And
more important of all, God notices. He is interested in
the little things as much as the big things.

When God, who is watching over the walls of your
home, sees you faithfully and joyfully embracing your
daily tasks, it pleases His heart. He takes notice of it.
God takes as much pleasure in the little things as He
does the big things. He created the huge mountains,
but put even more intricate design to each tiny
snowflake which you can only see under a magnifying
glass. He created the giant redwoods (you may have
driven your car through one of the trunks of these trees
in California, as we have), but He created the beauty
of the little violet and forget-me-not flowers.

God poured beauty and intricate design into the tiniest of
His creations, some that can't even be seen by the eyes of
men. You also are being transformed into the character of
God when you make beauty and joy out of your little and
menial tasks, tasks that you think are boring. Nothing is
boring when God is in it! Seek ways to do your little tasks
faster, better and more creatively. Sing while you do
them. Thank God that He is with you as you do them.

I am always challenged by Frank Bunker Gilbert in
Cheaper by the Dozen who sought to do every
household task more efficiently and quickly. He timed
his children doing each task to see if they could do it
more quickly the next time. That's why we have so
many wonderful inventions in the world today
because people seek ways to do things quicker and
better than before! The little can lead to the amazing!
This can happen in your home every day as you bring
God into every task! It changes the boring to the
interesting; the mundane to the creative and the little to
make the way for the great.

I feel very blessed to have the privilege of encouraging
the mothers of the world and printing 160,000
magazines each time we print a new Above Rubies.
Did I start with this number? No. when I printed the
first issue over 33 years ago I printed only 1500 copies!
But it started even before I was married. I was teaching
and gave my vacation time to ministering at girls'
camps. These young girls came in from all over the
country, many from non-Christian homes. It was a joy
to lead many of them to the Lord, but I knew they
would go home to receive no encouragement in their
faith. I began writing to them and ended up writing
regularly to over 100 girls. Looking back, I believe
that because I was faithful in that small task, God
chose me to do a bigger task and to reach thousands
and thousands of families across the world.

Many women send in poems and writings to me for
inclusion in Above Rubies. Sadly, I can't use them all. I
cannot find space for all the poems. But can I encourage
you? Don't wait to be published. Write your poem or
prose out beautifully on a lovely card and give it to
someone in need. Write poems for your husband,
children or grandchildren. Write rhymes for Name
Places at the dinner table. Write encouraging letters to
those who need uplifting. Use your writing talent for
your family and the people God puts on your heart.
As you share your writings with those around you to
bless and uplift them, God will open bigger doors.
He gives rulership to those who are faithful in the
least.

Do you feel you have a message to speak to thousands?
You may wait forever for that opportunity. Start where
you are. Bless your family with your inspirations.
Speak to everyone you meet. As you are faithful to do
this, God may open up remunerative opportunities.

Are you an artist? Paint the walls of your home. Paint
beautiful pictures to give to friends. Draw a picture
for an older person living on their own.* Decorate
cards and give them to those who need encouraging.
Use your gift to bless those around you and God
will open bigger opportunities.

Zechariah 4:10 says, "Who has despised the day of
small things?"

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL,
ABOVE RUBIES

PRAYER:
"I thank you, dear Father, that you are interested in the
little things as well as the big things. Help me to know
that you are with me in every small task I accomplish in
my home. I thank you that even the mundane things
are wonderful when you are in them. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I am making every little task into an amazing one!

The Duggars

I have been looking forward to seeing them from the minute I heard they were coming to Focus on the Family. I almost didn't make it there twice. First, I didn't know I needed tickets, they were free of charge, but you had to go and pick them up on a first come first serve basis. I had know for a week that they were coming but somehow missed the fact I need tickets.
So I went to the Welcome Center on Tuesday morning and they said they were all out. Totally bummed, they kids more than I, we decided to go and play in their play area. While we were signing in a man came up with a few tickets that he had found - so we were able to get 5!
Then today, heading into town M starting hurling in the back of the car. J started crying because she was going to miss the Duggars. So Daddy graciously (probably relieved.. haha) offered to take M home. Thankfully J, L, and I (as in me) made it just before they started.
*** Forgive my terrible photos.. I am horrible with indoor light and no flash photography ***

And here is why you don't see a picture of me and Michelle... this line went on winding inside the building as well...
The Duggars are such a blessing! I love how they commit something to God and then uphold that commitment. I so often rationalize reasons for going back on things.
What I think I took away from there sharing was a quote Michelle shared that has helped her, "What God has shown you in the light, don't doubt in the dark." I do that all the time. Feel God calling me to something and then when times get tough, or trials come, I started to doubt whether or not God really said that, or if He wants that for me.
Anyway.. I brought M home a picture of the Duggars and told him that their family told me to tell him "Hi" and that Jackson said he missed him and hoped to see him next time. That made M's little heart happy!

Taco Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients together. Store in airtight container.

*I use this for 1 to 1 1/2lbs ground meat. Up the "heat" as desired by increasing the red pepper*

Teriyaki Sauce

1 Tbspn corn starch
1 Tbspn cold water
1/2c white sugar
1/2c soy sauce
1/4c cider vinegar (I never have that on hand and so end up using what's around)
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tspn black pepper

Combine and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and stir often until thick and syrupy.
We use this on chicken and vegetables. Enjoy.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

She spoke MY heart

Our car ride home tonight turned out to be an amazing time of conversation. My kids (well not little M he was half asleep) were asking all kinds of deep questions about God. It was exciting. Moments like these you can't force. We talked about how God loves us. How he sent His Son for our sins. How our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus. How we get to spend forever with God. How our life's purpose is to glorify God and share His love with others.
L quoted scripture he learned at church that applied to the conversation (how cool he knows when to apply it).
And then a little voice comes from the back, soft, and concerned,
"Mommy?" J says. I look back and there are tears in her eyes.
"Mommy I believe in Jesus and I love Him, but sometimes... I just don't listen."
Wow.. the sincerity and truth of that statement. I live that. Daily.
I assured her, we are forgiven if we are truly sorry and ask to be forgiven. If we try to make the right choice the next time and try to avoid the same mistakes.
She smiled. Her heart was relieved. As is mine :)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Saturday, March 12, 2011

J's Easter Dress


My first attempt at garment sewing (I have no idea how to photograph clothes)

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Pleasure that Satisfies

Do you know that God designed us to seek pleasure? That may sound strange because we equate pleasure with sin. The pleasure is only wrong when we try to find it in the wrong place. We go to food, people, activities, or possessions. But those things can never satisfy the deep longing in our hearts.

But when we surrender to God, we truly find the pleasure that truly satisfies. Have you fully surrendered yourself to God? Are you finding your happiness in Him? Listen to these words from Psalm 36:

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house. And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Monday, March 7, 2011

Chapters


(This is all of us: Jeff and my family, my little brother's family, my parents, my older sister and her son, and my younger sister and her family)
Tomorrow my brother and his family move to Japan. Once again a page turns. One chapter closes and a new one begins. It feels like the chapters are getting shorter. Like life is in a constant state of change lately. Maybe it feels this way because I am getting older and trying to hold onto every moment and live it with purpose. Maybe it is because it has been a rough year. Maybe both. I don't know.
My heart is glad. My family is not all together very often. It was a short visit, but much appreciated!
My prayer for my family
"May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you." Jude 1:2