Keziah has been having a hard time going to sleep these last couple nights. During the day, we of course, talk about God and the supernatural and at times the Devil comes up as a topic of discussion: Why did he want to be God? Where does he live? And Luke always adds, "I am going to kill him!" There is a sort of fascination or curiosity when it comes to the supernatural. I remember as a kid my mind played tricks on me and I'd "see" things in my room...and I was positive that sometime during the night, a witch would come into my bedroom and pull down my covers. The only reasonable explanation after always finding my blankets off my bed when I woke up in the mornings.
Well, recently, Keziah has raised the subject of Adam and Eve and the Devil using the snake to trick Eve into eating the fruit. I told her the story and she would ask questions and just chat to me about the whole scenario. These last two nights she started behaving fearfully at bed time and wanted her door open (she already uses a night light) and she kept saying that maybe there was a snake in her room and she thought the devil would be in the snake. I talked to her and prayed for her and even had her repeat in her sweet authoritative voice the truths of God's love for her and what He says. But tonight it was the same deal: difficulty going to bed. After another reminder that God loves her, and that she is His daughter and He takes care of her and after insisting that the Devil didn't want to come into our house because of Jesus in us, I left the room to go and tend to the baby. Antony checked in on her after 10 minute and she was still in there with her eyes wide open. She was just wound up as tight as a spring. Shortly afterwards, Antony came out and called to me and said, "Quick! Come here!" So he leads me right outside her bedroom door and I hear her sweet little voice saying: "I. Am. A Child of God!" in a little cheer-type chant. I stayed outside that door and heard her say it over and over with great conviction. No less than 100 times. Antony told me he talked with her and then walked out and turned off her night light and left her in the dark to repeat that simple phrase so that this crazy fear thing would be broken. I sat in my living room and prayed - asking the Holy Spirit to comfort her with His love and peace and that this would be something she would remember - and that she'd sense His love enveloping her in that bed. After a minute or two, the chant slowed in pace and her voice got softer and softer until she fell asleep.
Now, I know that she may not understand the fullness of what being a child of God means, and although I have a greater understanding, I am still learning what that entails. But hearing her say it over and over stirred something on the inside of me! I am a child of God. I, am a child of God. I. AM. A CHILD OF GOD! I just pictured her saying it over and over in her bed - my sweet little pumpkin, facing that big fear with those 4 incredible words. I was thinking about our positions as children of God and how confidence in our position as His children should help us face our own monsters in our lives. Financial, marital, relational, physical, mental, past, present, future, shame, guilt, etc. What monster has been terrorizing you, keeping you up at night, causing you to bead up with sweat at the mere thought of it? Our position - our stance - our perspective - these are important in being free from the Frankenstein's in our lives. If I keep my eyes on the ugly monster and forget that as God's child I am loved more than my mind can comprehend, I will miss the opportunity for my Heavenly Daddy to show me His moves in taking that thing down! But it's remembering who we are and making our offensive from that revelation - I. Am. A Child of God.
What comes to your mind when you think of the aspects of being a child of God? I'd love to know your thoughts!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Chocolate Pot De Creme
I was in the mood for a Yummy chocolate-y mousse type dessert and this hit the spot! Not as light and fluffy as a mousse, but DEELISH! It was a HIT with the kids, too. :) It would totally make for a great dessert for guests - it's got a fanciness to it...especially if you put it in a fun glass.
- 9 ounces high-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped (I used Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet)
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 6 large egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons granulated sugar (add an extra tablespoon if using bitter chocolate)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Directions
Place the chocolate in a blender. Whisk the milk, 1 cup cream, egg yolks, granulated sugar and salt in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the spatula and almost boiling, 5 to 6 minutes.
Immediately pour the milk mixture over the chocolate in the blender. Cover and hold the lid with a thick kitchen towel; blend until combined and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Divide the chocolate mixture among ramekins or small cups and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
Whip the remaining 1/2 cup cream and the confectioners' sugar with a mixer or in the blender until soft peaks form. Top the chilled pots de creme with whipped cream.
I didn't use the ramekins - I found some fun champagne type glasses at Goodwill. Before I refrigerated it, I divided the chocolate mixture: some of the glasses just had the chocolate creme, then I added about 5 drops of coconut extract (with a good stir) to a few others and a couple with peppermint extract. Antony LOVED the mint ones...the coconut ones were great too! SUPER easy and tastes like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant! I like that. :)
Ooo, la, la! ;)
The FEAR of the Lord...and the backyard mess.
Jonathon was asking me what it meant to "fear the Lord"...so I began to explain to him that to fear the Lord simply meant to respect Him - to love what He loves and hate what He hates. I found a truth in this to apply to me and Antony...but boy, it's not easy to be humble and admit it! Oh yes, the pride is getting a beat down. Just when you think you are doing pretty good - BOOM - you see how FAR there is to go!
With the joys that having 4 children at home and homeschooling brings, it can be easy to have excuses of why certain things can't be done. My hubby is a very orderly kind of guy. So much so, that when we met a couple recently, for the first time, by the end of the few minutes that we spent chatting together they were sure that Antony had been in the military. I thought that was hilarious...they'd got a feel for his personality in no time!! Had he joined the military, he certainly would no doubt have made it to General. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite of what order is...not that I'm chaotic...exactly. Just focused on what I have set my own mind to do. I am a mother. As mother's we can be quite set on our plan. And no doubt, we have a plan. We have a certain way that we like things done and placed and said and cooked and stirred and washed, etc. So, yes, I do like order. I appreciate it. But it doesn't mean that he and I are on the same page of the dictionary when we look that word up. Why? I forget things...I forget that the kids were playing outside in the sandpit, in the mud, using my kitchen utensils while digging for gold, exploring, making a mess and generally having a magnificent time, once they set foot in the house. Because once they set foot in the house, it's time to shake out the sand out of diapers and clothes, sweep up the kitchen floor from their sandy footsteps, scrub mud off feet and noses, or in Marc's case, the inside of his nose. I've got clothes to put in the hamper and I have to make sure four kids are bathing and keeping the water IN the tub and of course make sure to keep soap out of eyes, or in Keziah's case, out of the inside of her nose, and do this while ensuring the evening meal comes out perfectly.
So, how does this relate to the fear of the Lord? I know it seems to totally disconnect, but have patience my friend, you will see the light shortly. The picture of the backyard mess I gave you and my good reasons for forgetting said mess, is similar to what happens with the inside of the family car. By the end of a journey in the car, after a long day of errands including library and food shopping, by the time I get everyone/thing in the house, I have forgotten what the inside of the car looks like because I'm on to the next task. So, this has been happening for a long time. Okay Lisa, just bare the pride. It's been happening for years. Of course, Antony would be the one to tidy it all back up and reset it for us. And it would slowly get back to the unacceptable point and then he'd clean it up again. Yes, the kids would assist, but the tasks always end up being time intensive. And, of course, he'd give me the same lecture, ahem, loving talk, as the last time we dealt with the same issue. Something about keeping clean, the importance of teaching the children, etc. All very valid points and I heartily agreed with him. And truly I did want to do what he wanted. I really wanted the cleanliness and order. It felt great to have it. But I would start off well and end up with the same messes...and the same husband-wife conversations. Well, something happened after this last episode. As I watched him and the the kids clean up the backyard, I began to truly connect with the whole thing...I truly saw that I had been amiss. I had not loved what Antony loved and hated what he hated. Oh, I acknowledged that what he wanted, a clean car and clean backyard, were good things. I even wanted to do those good things. I knew how important they were. But I never personalized them. I never made them my own. So of course I would fail because his standards never became my standards..so the other "more important" things, that were all my own standards was what I did. And at that moment something clicked over. I took on what he loved. I determined he would see the respect I wanted to show him. I apologized to the kids for not respecting daddy enough to make what was important to him, just as important to me and then I asked God to forgive me - in front of them. They watched me - wide-eyed and open-mouthed, but that day is set and we are consistently doing what is important to Antony and to me...and passing those important things down to our kids.
So, is there anything you aren't making important that is important to a spouse, your children, or God himself? Please share it with me...I'd love to hear your response!
With the joys that having 4 children at home and homeschooling brings, it can be easy to have excuses of why certain things can't be done. My hubby is a very orderly kind of guy. So much so, that when we met a couple recently, for the first time, by the end of the few minutes that we spent chatting together they were sure that Antony had been in the military. I thought that was hilarious...they'd got a feel for his personality in no time!! Had he joined the military, he certainly would no doubt have made it to General. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite of what order is...not that I'm chaotic...exactly. Just focused on what I have set my own mind to do. I am a mother. As mother's we can be quite set on our plan. And no doubt, we have a plan. We have a certain way that we like things done and placed and said and cooked and stirred and washed, etc. So, yes, I do like order. I appreciate it. But it doesn't mean that he and I are on the same page of the dictionary when we look that word up. Why? I forget things...I forget that the kids were playing outside in the sandpit, in the mud, using my kitchen utensils while digging for gold, exploring, making a mess and generally having a magnificent time, once they set foot in the house. Because once they set foot in the house, it's time to shake out the sand out of diapers and clothes, sweep up the kitchen floor from their sandy footsteps, scrub mud off feet and noses, or in Marc's case, the inside of his nose. I've got clothes to put in the hamper and I have to make sure four kids are bathing and keeping the water IN the tub and of course make sure to keep soap out of eyes, or in Keziah's case, out of the inside of her nose, and do this while ensuring the evening meal comes out perfectly.
So, how does this relate to the fear of the Lord? I know it seems to totally disconnect, but have patience my friend, you will see the light shortly. The picture of the backyard mess I gave you and my good reasons for forgetting said mess, is similar to what happens with the inside of the family car. By the end of a journey in the car, after a long day of errands including library and food shopping, by the time I get everyone/thing in the house, I have forgotten what the inside of the car looks like because I'm on to the next task. So, this has been happening for a long time. Okay Lisa, just bare the pride. It's been happening for years. Of course, Antony would be the one to tidy it all back up and reset it for us. And it would slowly get back to the unacceptable point and then he'd clean it up again. Yes, the kids would assist, but the tasks always end up being time intensive. And, of course, he'd give me the same lecture, ahem, loving talk, as the last time we dealt with the same issue. Something about keeping clean, the importance of teaching the children, etc. All very valid points and I heartily agreed with him. And truly I did want to do what he wanted. I really wanted the cleanliness and order. It felt great to have it. But I would start off well and end up with the same messes...and the same husband-wife conversations. Well, something happened after this last episode. As I watched him and the the kids clean up the backyard, I began to truly connect with the whole thing...I truly saw that I had been amiss. I had not loved what Antony loved and hated what he hated. Oh, I acknowledged that what he wanted, a clean car and clean backyard, were good things. I even wanted to do those good things. I knew how important they were. But I never personalized them. I never made them my own. So of course I would fail because his standards never became my standards..so the other "more important" things, that were all my own standards was what I did. And at that moment something clicked over. I took on what he loved. I determined he would see the respect I wanted to show him. I apologized to the kids for not respecting daddy enough to make what was important to him, just as important to me and then I asked God to forgive me - in front of them. They watched me - wide-eyed and open-mouthed, but that day is set and we are consistently doing what is important to Antony and to me...and passing those important things down to our kids.
So, is there anything you aren't making important that is important to a spouse, your children, or God himself? Please share it with me...I'd love to hear your response!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Light-bulb
Last week, Antony was helping me clean out the refrigerator...Yes, I know..I am blessed. :) Well, after over a year of not replacing the light-bulb in the refrigerator, he fished around on the top shelf of the cabinet to find...a spare! Sure enough, it worked perfectly and immediately the change shocked me. Let's face it. The difference a light-bulb in a refrigerator makes to a mom is pretty intense. We practically have a best friend relationship with those things - you love them b/c they take care of the things that are important to you - and sometimes when they are empty you get a bit miffed but you fill her up and you're back on speaking terms. Well, it has taken me almost a week to get used to the new brightness in my refrigerator. I actually told Antony that every time I open it, I feel like there's almost something wrong with the refrigerator until I take the second to mentally adjust my thinking to the fact that having the light-bulb operating in the fridge is right and that it's meant to be this way. It wasn't until a couple days into the fridge transformation that I had the revelation...I was a bit slow on the uptake. But I suddenly thought, "In what areas of my life have I been living without a light-bulb? What areas of my life were at one point operating in the light but for some reason or another the light was extinguished? And instead of taking the time to replace the light, I adjusted and got used to seeing that area of my life from the Darkness' point of view instead of getting the truth that comes only from the Light that is MEANT to be operating there? Where had I allowed wrongful thinking to take over - covering my sight - giving me only a partial picture, stopping me from living to the full? Which crevice or corner have I forgotten about, leaving it in the dark and tricking myself into thinking it's no big deal...b/c other light-bulbs in my life are working just fine. I adjusted to not having that light-bulb to the point that when I finally got my light back, it actually felt weird - almost wrong. But that's what the darkness does. If we don't immediately deal with an issue with the truth and light of God's Word, then slowly our eyes (soul) become accustomed to the darkness and we get tricked to the point where the truth almost seems weird. That's scary.
Also, why did I never take the time to change the bulb? Over one full year that light-bulb was within my reach and I had the means to make the switch: to replace darkness with light. But it all comes down to a choice. First, I have to ask God to show me what parts of my life have gone dark. This takes openness and sensitivity to hear Him...humility to admit I am wrong and the courage to make the choice to make the switch. Changing our thinking comes when the decision to change is verbalized and then commitment becomes internalized. And unlike Antony making things easy for me and changing the fridge bulb, only I have the power to make the choice to replace the darkness with light in my thoughts, ideas, and actions. And, OH! How much better life looks when we are seeing it through the truth that Light brings!
Also, why did I never take the time to change the bulb? Over one full year that light-bulb was within my reach and I had the means to make the switch: to replace darkness with light. But it all comes down to a choice. First, I have to ask God to show me what parts of my life have gone dark. This takes openness and sensitivity to hear Him...humility to admit I am wrong and the courage to make the choice to make the switch. Changing our thinking comes when the decision to change is verbalized and then commitment becomes internalized. And unlike Antony making things easy for me and changing the fridge bulb, only I have the power to make the choice to replace the darkness with light in my thoughts, ideas, and actions. And, OH! How much better life looks when we are seeing it through the truth that Light brings!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Chicken Tenders approved: Black Bean Soup
Here's a GREAT recipe that will help you get rid of some leftovers and also give the kids some great nutrition and it's DELICIOUS!
Day ONE
Black beans (cook them as normal). Add coarsely chopped 1 green pepper, 1 onion, plenty of garlic and a couple peeld zucchini in a mixer and blend until smooth. Heat cocounut oil in pan and cook for a few minutes. Add salt, cumin, pepper and dried oregano to taste. Then add to black beans.
Make brown/white rice.
I like to mix my rice for extra wholesome goodness. Heat one cup brown rice in some cocunut oil constantly stirring...add 1 1/2 cup water when hot and let cook about 10-15 minutes (can not dry up) add one cup of the jasmine rice with another 1 1/2 cup water. Cook down and cover simmer until done.
I make turkey or ground beef patties and a steamed veggie.
Day Two
Take leftover beans and rice, add Chicken broth to it and liquefy. Pour into soup pot.
Steam one Acorn squash or butternut squash and when cooked, liquefy with some of the hot water in steamer. Add squash mixture to soup pot.
Brown and mince ground beef or turkey (I prefer taste of ground beef). Season with salt and cumin or a Jamaican Jerk flavour or Mexian flavoring. Add to soup mixture (juices and all). Stir and serve with shredded cheese, sliced avocado, salsa or by itself...SOOOOO delicious!
The kids LOVE it and ask for more!
Day ONE
Black beans (cook them as normal). Add coarsely chopped 1 green pepper, 1 onion, plenty of garlic and a couple peeld zucchini in a mixer and blend until smooth. Heat cocounut oil in pan and cook for a few minutes. Add salt, cumin, pepper and dried oregano to taste. Then add to black beans.
Make brown/white rice.
I like to mix my rice for extra wholesome goodness. Heat one cup brown rice in some cocunut oil constantly stirring...add 1 1/2 cup water when hot and let cook about 10-15 minutes (can not dry up) add one cup of the jasmine rice with another 1 1/2 cup water. Cook down and cover simmer until done.
I make turkey or ground beef patties and a steamed veggie.
Day Two
Take leftover beans and rice, add Chicken broth to it and liquefy. Pour into soup pot.
Steam one Acorn squash or butternut squash and when cooked, liquefy with some of the hot water in steamer. Add squash mixture to soup pot.
Brown and mince ground beef or turkey (I prefer taste of ground beef). Season with salt and cumin or a Jamaican Jerk flavour or Mexian flavoring. Add to soup mixture (juices and all). Stir and serve with shredded cheese, sliced avocado, salsa or by itself...SOOOOO delicious!
The kids LOVE it and ask for more!
Hello again!
Well, journal...it's been awhile since we had a face to face. So much has happened and I wouldn't be able to put it all down - but the learning curve is what's most important. God teaches us SO much stuff - if we are open to learn it...and I'm sure there are areas that I am closing and I don't want to truly "see" the things that need to change...but I'm getting there! I still see so much inside of me that needs tweaking...so many areas where I need to "put on my new nature" (Col. 3 - The kids and I are memorizing scriputre - wow - it's been great! I love that Keziah is getting it too!).
So...key points - Antony went freelance - HUGE step of faith. We have learned so much - about our marriage (we weren't living in sync with each other...seeing daddy as an "intruder" or "interruption" to our lives/ routine...but we saw it needed changing and although it's so hard to change, it's essential for vibrant growth...I can see how people just want to ignore the problem and keep living the way the samw way b/c it's just easier! Change is so TOUGH to do), about God's graciousness (in our mistakes, He makes things right), trust in Him as our provider, we've enjoyed free time, pool time and a record breaking hot summer.
Mary Kay - God taught me how to bring Mary Kay and fit it in our family - through it, the children will see first hand the very things we want to instill in them. What it means to work hard, set goals, plan, organize, think out of the gbox, how to treat people, how to lead people, how to encourage/motivate/inspire people...so excited that they will have it in front of them so they can learn by watching it being done and being a part of it themselves! Looking forward to all that God has and is doing in and through me.
Kids: Marc Alec - getting so big - long curly hair...he is so affectionate - kisses us all the time - and when Kezi cries he goes to show her love...does his cute little hop on foot dance. We are enjoying them all...Jonathon lost another tooth...it is so odd to see him growing before my eyes...I am purposefully taking time to enjoy the small moments...Luke is my vibrant life - keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh in spite of everything!! Keziah is such a sweet princess...and yet tough and 'tudy at times!
Book Club: I started a book club with some other moms...we are reading "The Mission of Motherhood" first...and we are enjoying it so much. Reading it makes me remember more often what it is I am doing in the lives o f my children and how huge it is - and how SPECIAL it is!
Okay then, I think that brings me up to date. Until next time!
So...key points - Antony went freelance - HUGE step of faith. We have learned so much - about our marriage (we weren't living in sync with each other...seeing daddy as an "intruder" or "interruption" to our lives/ routine...but we saw it needed changing and although it's so hard to change, it's essential for vibrant growth...I can see how people just want to ignore the problem and keep living the way the samw way b/c it's just easier! Change is so TOUGH to do), about God's graciousness (in our mistakes, He makes things right), trust in Him as our provider, we've enjoyed free time, pool time and a record breaking hot summer.
Mary Kay - God taught me how to bring Mary Kay and fit it in our family - through it, the children will see first hand the very things we want to instill in them. What it means to work hard, set goals, plan, organize, think out of the gbox, how to treat people, how to lead people, how to encourage/motivate/inspire people...so excited that they will have it in front of them so they can learn by watching it being done and being a part of it themselves! Looking forward to all that God has and is doing in and through me.
Kids: Marc Alec - getting so big - long curly hair...he is so affectionate - kisses us all the time - and when Kezi cries he goes to show her love...does his cute little hop on foot dance. We are enjoying them all...Jonathon lost another tooth...it is so odd to see him growing before my eyes...I am purposefully taking time to enjoy the small moments...Luke is my vibrant life - keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh in spite of everything!! Keziah is such a sweet princess...and yet tough and 'tudy at times!
Book Club: I started a book club with some other moms...we are reading "The Mission of Motherhood" first...and we are enjoying it so much. Reading it makes me remember more often what it is I am doing in the lives o f my children and how huge it is - and how SPECIAL it is!
Okay then, I think that brings me up to date. Until next time!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
"Sit down, you're rocking the boat!"
One of me and sister's old classic faves was Guys and Dolls...Handsome Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra with a voice that would melt you...we loved watching those oldies! There is a song in there that says, "Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down you're rocking the boat"...yes, I had to sing it while I typed so I could make sure there were enough "sit down's" in there. :)
Well, in life we really ave to do a Peter and get UP and get OUT of the boat! I realized the other day, while I was chatting to my hubby, that it's in the boat where things are secure...comfortable...you know what to expect and there are no surprises. It's nice to sit down and enjoy the view...for a time...but to live in the boat for comforts sake causes us to miss out on what God can do in us and through us!
Matt. 14
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
The disciple thought Jesus was a ghost at first. How many grown men, rough and tough men, squeal like girls and cry "Ghost!" when they are doing their normal routine? When we get comfortable in our boat, we get to the point where God-things look irrational or scary...and we react to them with fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Again, Jesus saying not to be afraid...fear stops us from SO much...you tell me an issue you can't get through, I guarantee there's a root of fear somewhere...it debilitates us...stops us from forward movement in our lives.
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Take the time to listen closely...through all the noise in life, when it's Him calling, you will know if you take the time to know His voice.
29 “Come,” he said.
Peter responds with a crazy idea. Go out on the water!?! How out of the blue is that!?! I'm sure in all his years as a fisherman it didn't cross his mind to try it before..it would've been silly...but when Jesus is telling us to do something, you can bet your britches that it will be something you never would have done before and something that will be done entirely dependent upon His grace and through faith!
29 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Peter put action to his faith. Faith without works is dead.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
When we take our eyes off Jesus and his promises and look at the circumstances and difficulties, sinking is inevitable...
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Jesus didn't say, "Oh Peter, what's wrong with you? Why don't you have enough faith? Oh well, you didn't pass the test, I just can't help you anymore...you'll have to try and swim back to the boat and see if you can save yourself." Instead, He reached out His hand. His hand is outstretched...when he died his hands were outstretched and he saved us once and for all, forever making right of our wrongs. In our failures, His grace makes it right. We will fail, we will doubt, but if our heart is right, we can receive what He already paid for.
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Notice that they climbed back in the boat...I doubt Jesus started walking toward the boat, then saved Peter and then decided to swim the rest of the way. They both walked on the water. Jesus is with us - walking the path with us, guiding us, never leaving us, helping us in our weakness, making us strong, seeing us through. And when our test becomes a testimony, it will glorify Jesus - it will cause others to see Him for who He truly is.
Last thing...in the boat, we find comfort and there may be security, but there is no room for anything else...when you get out of the boat and step out in faith, suddenly doors open, opportunities make themselves known...MIRACLES happen.
It's definitely okay to rock the boat! :)
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