Still learning

Recently, I’ve been trying some new things.

Especially, in the area of baking

It began with my prayer to make sourdough starter again and use it in breads for my family.

My last starter was houses in the garage fridge.

Our son discovered, when he went for something else, the fridge had died, a while ago by the contents.

He was kind enough to dump the starter and put the rest of the contents of that fridge into the garbage.

So, I was hesitant to begin again, until I found a recipe online and felt it was the Lord answer to my prayers.

So, I began the starter and after 8 days made whole wheat English muffins.

Today, I tried whole wheat crackers.

I don’t have either recipe down yet.

The English muffins are a bit too small, because I don’t have a biscuit cutter, but it’s on the shopping list!

The crackers are under cooked.

But that’s okay, I’m still learning.

I’m going to try bagels, next.

I’m hopeful they’ll turn out, but if they don’t I’ll try again.

It’s part of the gifts God gives us, learning about His creation, even if it’s something everyday like baking.

For no matter what one already knows, there’s always more to learn.

Because our Creator is infinite, His creation is incredibly detailed and complex, with opportunities to learn new things and praise Him in it.

Romans 1:20 NKJV — For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

I’m praising God for the opportunity to learn and I’m thankful for His gifts, even when things don’t turn out right, I know it’s an opportunity to praise Him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your creation. Thank You for teaching me so many things each day. Lord, please help me to learn to make food for our family in ways I’ve not done before. Lord, thank You for the abundance of things in our lives. Please help us to use them for Your glory. Lord, let my lips be filled with Your praise! For You are great and Your invisible attributes are clearly seen throughout Your creation. How great You are, Jesus and greatly to be praised! Amen.

Homemade granola

I think my mom is the reason I like to make things from scratch.

Both my sister and I watched Mom whip up cookies, bread, and pie from scratch as children.

She used to make her own jelly from the plum tree in the backyard.

She also grew mountains of vegetables, especially tomatoes, cukes, and corn.

Those seeds of growing food and then preparing it took root in both my sister and myself.

Actually, my sister is one of the best cooks I know.

She enjoys it so much that she will spend her free time cooking.

So, it’s not surprising that our family enjoys homemade food.

When our children were all little, my husband was working full-time and going to college.

Money was tight and my energy was spread across four children, plus the time volunteering at our church.

So, I learned how to make several things in bulk.

Canning fruit was a big help.

I’d take the kids to the orchard with bowls and we’d pick cherries or peaches.

I normally tried to catch the strawberries at the beginning of summer and put up jam.

My husband is an outdoorsman and a friend of mine taught me how to can meat.

Many of those things were left in the past due to our very busy years of highschool sports, but we’ve canned here and there.

Our daughters learned to make some of our favorite foods.

Infact, Anne is a better baker than I.

Then illness claimed my time and I’ve only recently been able to return to making some of the food my family loves.

Homemade granola is one of those.

We eat it for breakfast, but if I let them, the kids would have a bowl anytime.

I’ve even seen my husband pour a bowl after everyone’s in bed.

So, I’m grateful God has given me the strength to cook again.

I’m so thankful to God for this simple recipe I found in the back of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine, so many years ago.

I’m blessed to have the time and resources to provide meals for my family.

Truly, the small details of life can bring the most amazing joys.

A newborn’s smile.

A ray of sun shining through the apple tree.

A kiss good morning from a loved one.

A bowl of homemade granola.

God is so good!

His blessings surround us, if we will but take the time to notice.

Praise the Lord , all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord  endures forever. Praise the Lord !
Psalms 117:1‭-‬2 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for the little and the large. Thank You for shining Your light into our lives. Lord, thank You for guiding and directing us. Thank You for providing for us. Lord, there are many who are struggling, hurting, lost. Please defend the innocent, provide for the weak and hungry, and save the lost. Please let our lives bring glory to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Our “Instead” list

*prayer

Because our World is suffering, I’m taking extra time to pray. I’m lifting up the sick, the lost, the hurting, and the fearful. I’m praying for our leaders: global, national, and local. My heart is especially burdened for the elderly and the children. Time spent “standing in the gap” is a priority.

* Bible

What better opportunity for us to find comfort, courage, and strength than from more time in God’s Word? I’m also hopeful that we will spend more time learning to study the Bible.

* talk time

With everything going on around us, I’m finding it is important to give each of our children a chance to chat, ask questions, and relate how they are feeling. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to hear what is going on inside their hearts.

*baking

Our Anne has a love of baking and we are planning on trying some new recipes as well as stocking our freezer with some of our old favorites.

* science

Both of our children have labs which go along with their science curriculum. Along with the experiments in other science curriculum we have, there’s lots of options.

* art

Anne and I are going to be painting more. Jase loves to draw.

* reading (to myself)

I’m continually behind in my reading schedule. Bible is first, then homeschooling curriculum, then my own personal reading selection. With the schedule change, I’m looking forward to finishing the book I’m in.

* reading aloud

I’ve read to our children for years, but with this season I want to read some books they’ve never heard before.

* playing games

I’m not very good at games and coming up with games is difficult for me, but my husband is super at both. Infact for my birthday he had Jase set up an in-the-house mini golf which was really fun! (Get the foam golf balls.) So, I’m leaning on him for this part, but even when I can’t think of anything we have lots of board games.

* organizing and sorting

With our move happening so fast and my health refusing to let me do much, I’m taking the opportunity to sort through and organize things. I’m going to tackle Jase’s clothes too since he’s out grown several things. It’s just a good time to work at making things easier and more streamlined.

Yes, I am certain my list shall change and be rewritten. There’s things I want to do which are not on it yet, but they are not as important as these things.

My main focus is to live purposefully during this life changing time. I have peace, but I don’t want to become complacent.

No matter what our days look like, I want to be following Jesus with all my efforts.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬2 NKJV