Words of Wisdom

"What I learned from the whole situation is that you have to trust in everything God and that He is the first position in your life."

~ Melissa Busekros, 16 year old German homeschooler

World Magazine article

Prayer Request

Jo, a longtime friend of the family, has been battling cancer for about 20 years. Tomorrow she will once again face surgery to remove a malignant tumor. Please join me in praying for her.

Today

"Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now." ~Elisabeth Elliot

Deep Joy

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. ~Psalm 30:4

Parent's Pick 3-day Trip

My husband recently picked Inn at the Mill for the two of us to stay at for a couple of days. It was the most unique place. Originally known as The Johnson Mill, which was partially burned down by the Confederates in 1862. It's also known as the being the longest running business in Arkansas. Architect James Lambeth renovated it and opened in 1992. The design is unique because the Inn was built around the existing structure. So you have an ultra modern inn mixed with the rustic past history of the Johnson Mill. One of the themes throughout the Inn is the sculpture of James Lambeth's daughter, Courtney. It was told to us that she had to hold two straws in her nose so that she could breathe while the plaster cast was being created! The restaurant, James at the Mill, is next door. We had the most incredible meal prepared by Chef Miles James. I have to say it was some of the best food I've ever had. It's a place to visit, even if you only have time for dinner.

Smile

I was on drill team back in the days of Jr. and Sr. High School and we were given performance demerits for various reasons, one being for not smiling. One of our motto songs was "Smile" and we sang it constantly. Charlie Chaplin wrote the music for it in his 1936 movie Modern Times. You may know the 1954 version by Nat King Cole, it's probably the most popular. It's a great song but can you imagine 50 girls out on a practice field singing it? We sang it so often that I still belt it out when anyone happens to be pouting around here.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Smile - Nat King Cole

Red Beans & Rice

1 pound dried red kidney beans, washed and sorted
2 quarts cold water
1 cup chopped yellow onions
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup minced celery
1 package smoked Polish sausage, thickly sliced
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped green onion tops
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 cups rice, uncooked

Place beans in a very large heavy kettle; add water, cover and soak overnight.

Next day, add onions, green pepper, celery, sausage, salt, cayenne and black pepper to the beans in their soaking water. Bring to boil over high heat. Lower heat so that liquid ripples gently. Cover and simmer 2 1/2 hours.

Uncover, stir well, turn heat to lowest point and cook uncovered about 2 1/2 to 3 hours longer, stirring now and then until beans are very soft and mixture is about the consistency of chili.

Stir in onion tops and parsley. Cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Cook rice according to package directions so that it is ready exactly at serving time.

To serve, place the red beans and rice in separate serving bowls and put out big bowls so everyone can help himself to as much rice as wanted, and then ladle red beans on top.

One Republic

I've got older kids in the house and two of them play the acoustic and electric guitar. I'm often exposed to music that otherwise I wouldn't even know about. Some are not for me, but One Republic is a group I really enjoy. They're an American rock band formed in Colorado Springs by Ryan Teddar and high school friend, Zach Filkins. The band's song "Apologize" has sold over 7 million singles worldwide. According to Soundscan it is one of only two songs that have reached three million legal downloads in history and is the 2nd best selling song of the decade.

"Although not a Christian band by genre, the band members all profess their faith openly in the album's credits. The album possesses definite influences of spirituality and deeper thinking."~Wiki

Ryan Teddar, lead vocals, piano, guitar, "First of all, I would like to thank God for any measure of success or ability I have. Wherever this music goes and wherever I end up in this life is a result of His will and my attempt to pursue it."

Zach Filkins, guitar, "To my creator, for your constant, passionate, unmoveable love for me. My life has no meaning without you!"

Drew Brown, guitar, "I would like to thank God for his infinite patience and grace, without which none of this would be remotely possible."

Eddie Fisher, drums, percussion, "Jesus Christ"

Brent Kutzle, bass, cello, "My savior and constant provider, Christ"

Sample songs from their album, Dreaming Out Loud

Let Thy Words Be Few

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

"When you don't have anything to say, don't say it." ~Douglas Wilson (1953- ) from Joy at the end of the Tether

Lina Sandell

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
~Lina Sandell

Lina Sandell (1832-1903) At the age of 26, she went with her father Jonas Sandell, a Lutheran pastor on a boat trip, during which he fell overboard and drowned before her eyes. The tragedy affected Lina, inspiring her to write hymns. She poured out her broken heart in an endless stream of beautiful songs. Sandell is known as the Fanny Crosby of Sweden. ~Wiki

10 Commandments in Verse

Thou no gods shalt have but me:
Before no idol bend the knee.
Take not the name of God in vain:
Dare not the Sabbath day profane.
Give both thy parents honor due:
Take heed that thou no murder do.
Abstain from words and deeds unclean;
Steal not, though thou be poor and mean.
Make not a willful lie, nor love it
What is thy neighbor’s do not covet.

Sum of the Commandments :

With all thy soul love God above,
And as thyself they neighbor love.

Pork Tenderloin & Vegetables

Peach-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons cooking oil
1 3/4 pound pork tenderloin
1/3 cup peach preserves or apricot preserves
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger

In a small mixing bowl stir together thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub cooking oil onto meat. Sprinkle herb mixture evenly onto meat. Rub in with fingers. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.

Meanwhile, for glaze, stir together preserves, Worcestershire sauce, and ginger. Set aside.

Place tenderloin on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, Roast in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Spoon some of the glaze over tenderloin Roast for 10-15 minutes more or until thermometer registers 160 degrees. Spoon remaining glaze over tenderloin. Cover with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before carving. Makes 4 servings.

~BH&G

Oven-Roasted Vegetables

1 medium zucchini, cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium sumer squash, cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into bite-size pieces
1 red onion, chopped
3 tablespons extra virgin oilive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the zucchini, squash, bell peppers, asparagus, and onion in a large roasting pan, and toss with the oil, salt and black pepper. Spread in a single layer.

Roast for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are lightly browned and tender.

Makes 4 servings

~Prevention.com

I like to serve these two recipes along with creamy mashed potatoes and bread.

The Duties of Parents

by J.C. Ryle

1. First, then, if you would train your children rightly train them in the way they should go, and not in the way that they would.
2. Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience.
3. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you.
4. Train with this thought continually before your eyes - that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered.
5. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible.
6. Train them to a habit of prayer.
7. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularly about public means of grace.
8. Train them to a habit of faith.
9. Train them to a habit of obedience.
10. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth.
11. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time.
12. Train them with a constant fear of over - indulgence.
13. Train them remembering continually how God trains His children.
14. Train them remembering continually the influence; of your own example.
15. Train them remembering continually the power of sin.
16. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture.
17. Train them, lastly, with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do.

And now, reader, in conclusion, let me once more press upon you the necessity and importance of using every single means in your power, if you would train children for heaven.

~John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)

Little Drops of Water

In 1845, Julia Carney, a Boston schoolteacher, wrote this poem as she was preparing a Bible lesson. She wanted to emphasize the value of small things. The poem was later included in a McGuffey's Reader and became world famous.

Little drops of water,
little grains of sand,
make the mighty ocean
and the beauteous land.

And the little moments,
humble though they may be,
make the mighty ages
of eternity.

Little deeds of kindness,
little words of love,
make our earth an Eden,
like the heaven above.

So our little errors
lead the soul away,
from the paths of virtue
into sin to stray.

Little seeds of mercy
sown by youthful hands,
grow to bless the nations
far in heathen lands.

Glory then for ever
be to God on high,
beautiful and loving,
to eternity.

~Julia Fletcher Carney (1823-1908)

Plainly Said

"Forget yourself and get to work."

I can't remember where I actually read this but it's a great saying - I love it !

A Classic Story of Hope

"The Last Leaf" by O. Henry is a nice short story to read. I enjoyed it, mainly because it has one of those endings that leave you saying,"Oh, how sweet -"

O. Henry is the pen name of American writer William Sydney Porter (September 11,1862-June 5,1910). O. Henry short stories are known for wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings.

O. Henry stories are famous for their surprise endings, to the point that such an ending is often referred to as an "O. Henry ending." ~Wiki

Cheese Soup

My mother in law has made this cheese soup for as long as I can remember. The recipe is super easy and it makes a big batch, great for our family since we all love it. Some even crave it -

John Barleycorn's Cheese Soup

2 pounds Velveeta cheese
1 pound butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
2 celery stalks, chopped fine
2 cups flour
1 gallon water
6 chicken bouillon cubes

Boil water. Add vegetables and chicken bouillon cubes. Cook for 10 minutes. Add diced Velveeta cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Make a roux with 1 pound butter and 2 cups flour. Mix into soup.

Syrus Quote

"Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world." ~ Publilius Syrus (~100 BC)

A Latin writer of maxims, during the 1st century BC. He was an Assyrian who was brought as a slave to Italy, but by his wit and talent he won the favor of his master, who freed and educated him. ~Wiki