Yesterday was…

Thanksgiving for our family.

My husband went to work on Thursday so we had already made plans to celebrate on Sunday.

We sang some Christmas carols.

(I know we were blending two seasons, but we love Christmas music and sing it as early as possible.)

We read the Pilgrim’s story.

My heart breaking all over again for the sacrifices those dear people made.

Then we took turns writing what we are thankful for in the back of the book.

My husband carved the turkey and we discussed a few memories while filling out plates.

“Well, two years in a row. We over cooked the broccoli and cheese.”

“It must be that old crockpot. It wasn’t in there more than an hour.”

“Remember how people were eating your honey-butter straight out of the dish while we were in the UK, Mom?”

“They did?! I don’t remember that.”

“Yeah, it was for the cornbread, but Daddy caught them passing it around like a side dish.”

“What’s in these mashed potatoes? They’re really good.”

“Butter, sour cream, milk,…”

“Do you remember the play we put on at the school?”

“Yes, and how the one line he did turned the play into a comedy!”

“I think of him every time I read that!”

It didn’t take long for talking to subside into eating.

After cleaning up most of the family played a board game twice and then a card game..

Later, we watched three episodes of the Chosen.

(If you’ve not seen Season One of the Chosen, you can download their app for free. Dallas Jenkins is the creator and it’s wonderful.)

It was a lovely day of thankfulness and family.

Something my husband and I cherish and realize won’t always be.

Our children are growing up so fast and we know they belong to God.

We want them to go, to do whatever God calls them.

We want them to be people completely surrendered to His perfect will.

Which means we have to surrender our own desires and plans.

Because they only live under the same roof with us for a season.

A season we are so thankful for.

No matter what the future holds, may we never spend so much energy preparing for tomorrow that we miss the blessings of today.

As my husband began his prayer yesterday: “Lord, we really have so much to be thankful for…”

He’s so right!

We have today.

Dear Lord Jesus,

It’s true, we have so much to thank You for. You have given us so much each and every day. Although things can be scary and the future still seems so unpredictable, I thank You that You promise to never leave us. Thank You for providing for us. Thank You for carrying us through. Lord, please continue to help us see the blessings in today. Please help us to live wholly unto You in each day. Lord, we want to serve You, to be close to You, to love You. Please help us to do so. Thank You for yesterday. Thank You for today. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. 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.

Doing without

It’s been weeks.

At first we didn’t realize what happened.

Anne had told me the oven had done something weird and scary. She’d turned it off.

The next day, without thinking, I asked Jase to make some banana bread.

Anne helped him and I told them I’d watch it once it was in the oven, so they could do outside things with Dad.

When the timer went off, something was obviously wrong.

There was a thick cooked crust on top and the rest was dough.

It took a while for me to figure out the top element in the oven was the only one working.

Of course we stopped using it.

Right after this I began running a fever..

We didn’t bother our landlord about it right away, since taking care of me was a full job.

When my husband did call the landlord, he told him not to bother calling anyone.

They couldn’t come anyway.

This week we heard from him. He had called a repair company.

After asking me all about the oven the kind lady from the repair company said, “I have some COVID questions. Has anyone in your house been sick with a fever or cough?”

After I answered that question and many follow-up questions she said, “Thank you for your honesty.”

“It’s no problem at all. People’s lives are far more important,” I replied.

We hung up and I informed our family the repairman wouldn’t be here till May 8.

No one was upset or surprised.

We all understand it’s important to be really careful right now.

Our family has had to do without many things over the years.

Our season of little or no water is one thing which has shaped our family.

Every now and then I’ll catch one of the kids slipping back into the things they learned in that time period.

Just last week, Bell looked at me and said, “I really need to wash some clothes, but I know you ran the dishwasher. When can I put in my laundry?”

I smiled, knowing she was concerned about possibly exhausting our water system and said, “It’s city water, now is fine.”

But as I think of doing without water, I thank God for my friend, she had her son come by at least once a week to pick up our soiled laundry and drop it back off clean. I thank God for our other friends who brought us water in their Water Truck, time after time. I know we didn’t pay for all the water they gave us.

I’m so thankful for so many people God has provided for us through.

In this time of doing without, I pray we find so much to be thankful for.

Yes, being in need is difficult.

It’s uncomfortable.

It’s scary.

But there was a season, many years ago when the only meal in our cabinets was oatmeal.

I remember standing in front of the cabinet and looking at how much was left and asking God to provide for us.

I wasn’t excited about only oatmeal for every meal.

But at the time, I was more concerned about running out and having our little ones go hungry.

We never did.

And not too much longer God provided and we were able to buy groceries again.

God provided in a different way when I was in need of a surgery.

It had taken months and two Emergency Room visits to find out that was the solution to my health problems.

Our medical bills were so numerous we couldn’t even think about paying them all.

A sweet lady from our church called me on her way to the store.

“Can I pick up some things for you?”

It was such a blessing as I couldn’t walk much less go shopping and we were very low on everything.

I thanked her and gave her my list.

She brought the groceries and wouldn’t take any payment.

After that she bought us groceries regularly.

And never let me pay her.

My memory is fuzzy from that time period, so I don’t even know how long she did it, but I was sick for months.

I have asked the Lord to bless her and her family in return, many times.

And I praise God for His provision.

All these seasons has taught our family that God is in control.

He knows exactly what we need and He will provide.

His ways are best and He knows what is best in every circumstance.

So, I really don’t mind doing without for a while.

I know there’s a lesson to be learned and my God to lean on.

And I praise Him!

He’s been with us no matter the need, from water to food, He has always provided and I know He always will.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for never leaving nor forsaking us. You are so good and so faithful. Please help us to keep our eyes upon You during this season of doing without. Please help us to be watchful for others we might help or encourage. Please guide and direct us. Let our hearts be molded by You in this. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Jesus, You are amazing! Thank You. Amen.