Sorry in Advance

I'm apologizing in advance for this: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/10/40-crock-pot-slow-cooker-dessert-candy.html

Where you can try out some slow-cooker desserts like this!

Pictured is the Butterscotch Cake. Hello!!!

Under the Table and Dreaming is a website I enjoy perusing and looking about at their bursts of creativity. I hope you'll enjoy it as well.

Where Will You Spend the Night Next

Bethany and Daniel, I love listening to you play. Bethany, you drag out your animals of all sizes, and Daniel, you move your Lego men and your control station into Bethany's room, and then the dialogue (or monologue) begins. It's complete with accents, international travel, and high drama! I love listening to you play. The first night you spent the night in the Czech Republic. Of course, you also traveled to Serbia, and your children complained about having to eat smoked salmon again, not to mention the fact that none of you speak German! The part I also like is that you know how to make Daniel laugh, and every now and then you both laugh it out together. I wonder where you will spend the night next!!!

Europe and Norway

Our homeschooling adventures "around the world" find us in Europe. While in Europe we'll study Norway, France, and Germany.

Today, we're reviewing the physical and politcal maps of Europe. We've colored the flag of Norway and are listening to Peer Gynt. Peer Gynt is a play whose music is composed by Edvard Grieg(15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907), Norway's most famous composer. Here's the link we're currently listing to, and by which we also are eating our lunch!



You should take a listen! I think you'll hear some familiar music.

Marked for Life

"Marked for life." I turned and met the glance that went with the words I had just heard from behind.These were the exact words of an older gentleman in a restaurant today as he and his wife waited for a friend. Bethany and I were standing side by side waiting for the restroom to open up and he'd spoken as an observer. I was somewhat taken aback by what he said. What he was trying to say was that there was no question that, the way he saw it, we resembled one another closely, and that she was, as a result, "marked for life."

"Marked for life." I heard so much more than those words. Truth be told, I believe he saw more than what he said. There is something about Bethany that is pure and clear and full and ready! She is totally alive, and in her is a destiny that is not yet known, but certain! She is so lovely. She is so FUN! She brings sunshine to our home and our hearts. She is an amazing and devoted friend. Small children are drawn to her. She makes everyone feel special. She's talented and brimming with potential that has yet to be tapped. Best of all, she's unaware of much of this. She would not even describe herself in such complimentary ways.

As a mother who prays steadfastly for her daughter, this man spoke words of high impact. Bethany, you are marked for life. You will live, you are alive and living in Christ because His name is on your heart, and His presence fills you up so full that His essence flows from you. You are indeed, marked for life. Christ has a plan for you, a destiny, His name is on you, He's after you, He prays for you. You will be like a well-watered garden whose waters do not fail (See Isaiah 58:11). You ARE marked for life because of Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The strangers words will be mulled over in my spirit for days to come as I consider what it means to be marked for life. I will be thinking and considering, exactly, how do I measure up to these words? Is Christ's presence so evident in me that someone would see me and say I was "marked"? Owned? Possessed by another and not living only for myself? I think I will be wrestling with this. Whose mark is on me? Is it indeed the mark of Christ, Himself?

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19-20 KJV

"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:11

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place." 2 Corinthians 2:14

These are a handful of verses that have come to my mind as I think about what it was in Bethany, besides her resemblance to me, that this gentleman saw. This picture was taken the same day as this story took place.

God Says....

I am aiming to cooperate with God: Co-with AND operate-function. To co-operate, or function together with God, I must first know what He thinks, be in agreement, and then act accordingly. I found this picture on facebook that I think captures a part of what it means to co-operate with God. Did I mention this means dying to self?

Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Praying Through

As the year draws to a close and the new begins, I have several things I am praying for and praying through. First, the biggies:

1. How can I be a better Mom?

2. How can I be a better Wife?

3. How can I be a better Worship Leader?

4. How can I be a better Homeschool Group Director?

These are the topics that I often view first as they are my "places of influence." These areas require most of my time, thought, and energy during any given day or week.

Then there are the matters that are more private, I'm less likely to share with others. I suppose we could call it the fine print. Questions like these are roaming through my heart and mind, and they're questions I really want answers to, such as: Should I still be leading worship, am I to focus solely and only on teaching my children, Why do I struggle with the bed bug of procrastination that bites me over and over again, and all of the other questions I have, the nitty-gritty "wonderings" that seem to nip at my heals that just keep ....nipping. And, by the way, this is only a sampling of the questions that turn to prayers as I go about my way.

Father in Heaven, Maker and Knower of my days, I ask that Your purposes be fulfilled in my life. I see even now how many of my wonderings fade more easily as my heart and eyes are fixed upon You. While I have these over-arching questions, and yes, even the fine-print ones, I pray I will love You more and love You most. Let that prayer be my beginning point. Thank you Lord that you are a Father who cares and who concerns Himself with the things that also matter to me. Father, if there is anything in me that will accomplish Your purposes, leave it there and sharpen it. If there's anything I'm doing or anything in me that prohibits Your Kingdom purposes and ways, then please remove those things. Make the vision clear, O Lord, for this next year. Make it clear and plain to me, who at times is hard of sight and hearing.

Something New

This is not just a picture of a Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar. It's God's reply to a young boy who said to me the morning of our adventure, "I never see anything beautiful. You always are the one who sees the beautiful things."

Off we went, our family of four, on a hike up the creek. It was the tail-end of an annual 5 day camping trip to our favorite spot. I had packed two PBJ sandwiches, two turkey sandwiches, and apples. Danny grabbed a bag of chips on the way out of the camper. We found a sitting spot and lunched. We watched a slew of ants haul off one very large potato chip. During our resting and sliding off of slippery rocks time, Daniel found this little fella who will one day become a swallowtail butterfly. Can you believe this little critter?

We were fascinated by him , truly. When he was still, you could see something pulsing through a vein that went down the center of his body. He moved so quietly and undeterred. When we wanted to investigate his belly we took a stick and touched him. He grabbed onto the stick and tucked his head inside his body. His beautiful blue markings made it look like he had eyes over all his body. When he began to relax and was ready to continue his journey, his head popped out again. The color in this photo we found on the internet is more orange than the one we saw. Ours had a more rusty color. The reason we don't have a picture is because of my history with water and technology. The two have become one a number of times, and it's never been a positive thing! So, because I have yet to invest in a waterproof cover, we have to make do. But, trust me, this is the fella we spotted.

Lord, thank you for displaying something none of us had ever seen before. It was so easy for you to do. Thank you for showing us your beautiful creation. Thank you for doing this wonder for my son.