Kids as Kites

02 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Thoughts and Prayers

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“I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you’re both breathless. They crash . . . you add a longer tail . . . you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they’ll fly.” Erma Bombeck

The kites are flying around here as the winds of life gust and blow!
This week our intrepid little debate and speech club (E.P.I.C.-Emphatically Preparing with Integrity and Clarity) is hosting Regionals for homeschooled highschoolers from Oregon, Idaho and Washington.

Daughter Lorna (26) is cooking all the food (meals and snacks) for 150 judges for four days. Of course,”cooking” also includes planning, shopping, hauling and cleaning up. The food will be delicious because Lorna is a gifted cook.

Assisting his big sister is Kealen (16) who wields a chopping knife with confidence and panache. Capable Abigail (10) will be the go-fer and general errand runner, making sure that the platters are refilled and the water replenished.

Patrick (almost 7) and I, will be assisting in the kitchen as well as running home to fill a few boxes or cook dinner when we can. I am also throwing together a birthday party for Patrick two days before we leave so he can have one last “hurrah” with his Ferndale friends.

Hannah (18 )is competing in debate and speech at this tournament (on her way to Nationals in Minnesota next month). I wish you all could hear her original oratory of Fredrick Douglas! You’d be inspired. I plan to post it on my blog.

Of course, Hannah (being Hannah) really wanted to host some other students at our home in the midst of our move so we have competitors staying with us, having their hair “Hannified” and enjoying one another. These are darling girls and it makes the tournament much more fun to have guests.

Hannah is very gifted in words (both speaking and writing) but her passion is people.

Noah(14)is timing rounds at the tournament and absorbing the atmosphere. He has loved competing this year.

Rosie (20 )is working and finishing a college class as well as preparing to move into a home with two friends (she’s staying here while we move…that wind is blowing, for sure!).

Of course, we can’t forget the Patriarch, Doug, who will make the long commute from his job over in the desert, pack up the 15 passenger van for the third time and leave (again) on Sunday!

In the midst of the gusts of change and growth this week, one more of our “kites” is preparing to fly away to Korea. Phillip (24) leaves next week to teach English for a year there. We will miss him.

Time moves so quickly and change is inevitable. How I have come to appreciate the truth that God never changes.

This is the last week my prayer partner and I will meet together at her home…but God never changes.

This is the last time Abby will study in our home with her best friend from down the street…but God never changes.

This is the last time Patrick will skip down the street to see if a friend is home in this neighborhood…but God never changes.

This is the last time we will worship with fellow believers at Christ Covenant church as members…but God never changes.

And (just to throw a little fun into the whole crazy week) our little gray mama cat is anxiously scratching in closets and drawers as she prepares to have kittens. The question inquiring minds want to know is…will she have them before or after moving day on May 13th?

*Updated May 12* Gracie gave birth to five healthy kittens on May 10th. We will box them all up and take them in the moving truck tomorrow!

Marvelous Marriage Monday; Win a T-Shirt, Brag About Your Hubby!

30 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Fathers Day, Give Away, Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Mothers Day, Strong families

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Marriage between one man and one woman is under serious attack in the United States and in many parts of the world. One of my goals is to celebrate marriage here on Generational Womanhood so you can imagine how delighted I was to learn about Union 28 and their marriage honoring clothing!
The mission of Union 28 is encourage marriage relationships, communicate a positive image of marriage and honor the sanctity of the marriage covenant…now, that’s a mission I can get behind!

My husband rocks…

Union 28 sent me hot pink t-shirt made of 100% Ringspun Cotton. I am not really sure what Ringspun cotton is but I love the weight and feel of this shirt. It has quickly become a favorite.

The folks at Union 28 have great customer service and the selection of marriage-honoring shirts, clothes and other products is delightful.

Wouldn’t it be fun to outfit your children in “My Daddy Rocks” shirts and surprise him on Fathers Day?

My husband rocks...

I used to try to come up with creative ways to tell my husband that a new baby was on it’s way…wouldn’t it be fun to wrap up a tiny little onesie from Union 28 to spring the news?

And what’s wrong with a mom letting the clan know that she wouldn’t mind being bragged on as well?

Or, if you’re planning a family reunion or trip this summer, why not tell everyone how proud you are of your husband by outfitting the entire family in Union 28 clothing? I only wish I still had a slew of young children to model these shirts. Too cute!

My husband rocks… because he still tells me I’m beautiful after thirty years of marriage.

It isn’t hard to be entered to win this giveaway…just brag about how your husband “rocks” in the comment section. A winner will be picked by my family on May 14th.

My Husband Rocks Tees & more @ Union28.net!

Want to order? Click on the link above and use the discount code below to get a steal of a deal. What a fun way to celebrate marriage and family!
Use this code when you checkout!

After I notify the winner you will have one week to contact me. If I do not hear from you, I will pick another winner!

My husband rocks, does yours?

A Woman Discovers Her Worth; Tea Time with Deb

27 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Guest Post, Holy Bible, Practical Help, Sharing Jesus, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Hi Deb, thank you for sharing a little bit of your life with Generational Womanhood! I’m glad we could “sit down” for a cup of tea together so the ladies here can get to know you!

Deb and I met in Las Cruces, New Mexico over thirty years ago! We were both new Christians and went to the same church. As a matter of fact, Deb, I still have a wonderful Biblical exhortation on “love” that you wrote for Doug and I when we got married. It is tucked away in our wedding photo album! I was so glad to “find” you again via Facebook!

Good morning, Jill! I have really been blessed to reconnect with so many friends from a “lifetime ago” via the internet. Your wedding was among the first I attended as a Christian and my new faith brought a greater understanding to what I was witnessing that day as you exchanged vows. I smile when I remember the times you and Doug opened your home to the college singles for fellowship and study. Those experiences and relationships are part of what grounded me in my own walk with God.Thank you so much for asking me to share a bit of my life with you and your readers.

Deb, tell us about yourself. I don’t know much about your husband or your family but was thrilled to hear that, after a period of being single, the Lord brought a Christian man into your life. Please fill me(and us) in!

I went through college expecting to get married at least within a few years of graduation, but that was not God’s plan for me. I was 32 and living in Maryland when I attended a Valentines function put on for the single girls by the single guys at our small church.

When I drove up to the house, I was startled to realize two of the men were offering “valet” service to park the girls’ cars.The front door opened and a guy I had never met answered saying “I’m Kennedy, may I take your coat?” I thought he was the butler and smiled to think he was so involved in his part he even used his last name! It was a few months before I realized that “Kennedy” was actually his first name.

For the next year we didn’t pay much attention to each other, but, when the time was right, our eyes were opened to the possibilities of a friendship and more. We actually did premarital counseling with the pastor before we got engaged. We wanted to go through that process without the public pressure of a wedding date and plans, knowing how much more difficult it would be to put the brakes on things if a “show stopper” issue came up.

The premarital counseling was excellent as it directed us through difficult conversations involving our expectations of marriage and family life; roles and responsibilities. In discussing one of these sticky topics, the pastor leaned back in his chair, held his hands out to us and said “This is what marriage is about; the situations will be different, but the skill set to deal with them is the same, good communication, compromise, grace, love and commitment (to God, to each other and to the marriage). Do you have what it takes to work through these problems?”

We came out of the counseling confident that, with our commitment to the Lord, a marriage would work so, we got engaged, planned a destination wedding (Durango, Colorado) and made it happen in nine weeks with the help of our amazing families.That was just over 14 years ago.

What have you learned about God through the experience of meeting your husband, becoming a wife and forging a marriage?

Wow.There is a clamor of thoughts in my mind, too much to articulate, but, the loudest thought is “grace-filled love.” I was raised in a household where the goal was perfection. If you failed to meet that goal, you were a sad disappointment and reminded repeatedly of your failure…not a great way to grow up.

As a Christian I learned I cannot meet the goal of perfection since I am broken by sin, but, even after accepting Christ’s death, burial and resurrection as payment for my sin, I still felt the need to live “perfectly.” Because of my experience growing up, I didn’t understand how anyone could love me if I disappointed them yet, day in and day out, my husband demonstrates grace-filled love toward me.That isn’t to say I don’t disappoint him, but he never stops loving me and letting me know that he loves me.

I have felt an acceptance and freedom in my marriage I had never really known before. Do you ever walk through your day feeling “not enough?” Not a good enough friend, wife, mother, housekeeper, neighbor, fill-in-the-blank-where-you-feel-you’ve-failed?

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” While we are yet “not enough” God loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us. He didn’t wait for us to get our act together, to stop making mistakes, to stop failing. He loved us and took action to bring us back into relationship with Himself through Jesus’ death.

Knowing and experiencing God’s grace-filled love has humbled me and caused me to want to draw closer to Him rather than to indulge sin in my life.

Is motherhood anything like you thought it would be?

I didn’t have any expectations of what it would be like to be a Mom. I do have to admit, though, I love being a Mom, whether I thought about it before becoming one or not! Slowing life down and looking at it through the eyes of my children, marveling at the beauty all around in God’s creation…all of it is good. Sometimes hard, but always good.
And, again, as with marriage, motherhood has expanded my understanding of God’s relationship with me. I love my children even when their poor choices frustrate me (just as the Lord loves us although we are sinful). Of course, unlike God, I am not a perfect parent and often make mistakes, but my children are quick to forgive with a kiss and a hug when I confess and apologize.

As you go about your busy day, how do you keep your focus on God as a wife and mother?

I start my day in prayer and have made a habit of praying my way through the day. As I drive through various neighborhoods, I pray for those I know who live nearby. I fill my days with music; praise songs and hymns that keep my heart worshipful. I pray for needs as I see them.

This is especially helpful when my initial reaction would typically be to criticize ie.,“why can’t that Mom keep her kids under control?” has been replaced with “Lord, help that Mom. Give her strength and wisdom.”

Prayer changes my heart.

Prayer changes the world.

It taps into the heart of the Creator of the Universe.

The power for this change is not in the eloquence of the words or the person themselves, but the power of prayer resides in the One being prayed to. What a privilege!

A few years ago I made a jump ring of Bible verses that I carry with me attached to my purse. It is labeled “Ring of Truth” and contains verses that remind me of Biblical truths of God’s love, provision, protection, etc.
When I find myself discouraged or worried and I can’t seem to remember a verse to help, I can pull out my little Ring of Truth and be reminded of what is important; Whose I am (not who I am). Of course, there is probably a smart phone app for that these days, but my cell phone doesn’t even accept text messages so I have to rely on old-fashioned paper and ink!
These are some simple things I try to do on a consistent basis to keep my focus on God. I find if I put God first in my day, then my day orders itself around His purposes and I am better able to handle the unexpected!

What would you say to the woman who struggles to feel that she is unconditionally loved by God?

When I was single,this was a huge issue for me. I sincerely believed all those Bible verses about God loving others; being saved by grace not our own works, and I shared them with conviction to encourage others of His love for them. I just didn’t believe those verses fully applied to me!

One day it occurred to me that if I did not believe God’s grace and love covered me then I pretty much was calling Him a liar. I realized it was my own thinking that was wrong.

I began to accept the Bible verses that express God’s unconditional love, not just for others, but also for me. Later,I found myself wishing I had skills and talents I don’t have…I was dissatisfied with how God made me.
Psalm 139 tells us how carefully He crafts each one of us…did He really make a mistake with me? No, a perfect God does not make mistakes so, I began a journey to find out what talents and gifts God had crafted in me and I’ve prayerfully found places where those gifts can be used. Doing so brings so much joy!

Stay tuned for Part Two of our chat with Deb which will be posted today as well. Please visit her blog Rooted in Hope and say hello!

A Woman Discovers Her Worth; Tea Time with Deb Part Two

27 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Guest Post, Holy Bible, Homemaking, Practical Help, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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We are welcoming back my friend Deb(we never seem to have enough time to chat with our girlfriends, do we?). Let’s pour some more tea and continue the conversation…

How about the woman who feels like she has no worth as a woman in the home? She wonders if she got a job if it would help her feel more valued?

Again, our value should not be based on what we do, the positions we hold or what size we wear. Frankly, we’ll never be content or satisfied seeking our value in external things, things that change or are temporary.
We need to find our value in how God sees us; precious treasures, carefully and lovingly designed for a purpose, a purpose to be discovered in relationship with God.

For a season, many of us may feel “stuck” at home, doing the hard work of raising our children. We may feel unappreciated. Rather than looking for a job outside the family, and perhaps neglecting the family in the process, find a group of women in a similar situation and connect with them. Bible study, play groups or prayer times. No one can replace you in your family. You are Essential Personnel
!
When my children were young, I hibernated; it was too hard to get out of the house. Big mistake. I needed to hear from others how they were doing this “Mom Thing.”I started with a women’s Bible study that had a childcare/Bible program at the same time. Rather than looking for someone to meet my needs, I asked God to provide someone whose needs could meet. Along the way, I found value and appreciation in doing the Lord’s work in other women’s lives.
That was eight years ago and I haven’t stopped yet! Look for a place where you can serve and watch the Lord work in and through you.

Do you have a favorite home organization tip you could share with us?
I was shocked to realize how much paperwork toddlers generate! How can these little ones who cannot read or write collect so much paper? They come home from preschool or Sunday School hands filled with paper projects. I thought I was going to be buried alive! It just got worse when they entered elementary school. All of the sudden the paper had purpose (sometimes it even had to be returned).
I sat down with my children one day and we decorated “In boxes” (cardboard magazine holders with their names and favorite themes). I even have a Mom “In box.”

When the kids get home they unpack their backpacks and deposit things that need my attention in Mom’s “In box.”During the evening I review what is to my attention. The next morning, they grab everything out of their “In box,” pack it up and carry it off to school.

Any favorite authors, websites, resources?

Authors: Tim Keller, Renee Swope, Ann Voskamp, Beth Moore
Websites: Proverbs 31 Ministries is a great resource for women in all stages and ages.
National Center for Biblical Parenting has wonderful resources for raising children with the right heart attitude. And, of course, Generational Womanhood!

Thank you for sharing, Deb! May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and give you peace. May He raise up your family to be a mighty nation for Him!

Thank you, Jill, for allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences with you. I pray the Lord uses these words to provide encouragement to your readers. May He bless you and your family in all your endeavors!

Move It!

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Cleaning, Decluttering, Homemaking, Practical Help

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No, I’m not talking about starting a new exercise routine, I am referring to packing up a five bedroom house and moving to another city with a large family. Hmmm, actually that does sound like starting up a new exercise routine except I’m already really tired….
I had conjured up all sorts of inspiring titles for this post; Smooth Moves (nah, sounds like the name of a laxative), Marvelous Moving Tips (snort, is there anyone who would call moving marvelous?), Transformational Moving Tips (what is this, positive thinking for moving? Again, no).

I should have just called this post; Let’s Get ‘Er Done!

We’ve moved fifty plus times in 30 years of marriage. No, we aren’t a military family. Yes, we are slightly crazy. No, our children are not totally insecure messes..by the grace of God.

You would think I would have moving down pat by now but I don’t. That’s because every move has so many different variables that it is impossible to do it the same way every time. However, some approaches apply to all moves:

Packing and moving involves decision making and lots of it! When other people ask if they can help, reserve their help for moving the packed boxes, bringing you boxes, taking care of your children or cleaning the house after it is empty. Only you and your family can make the choice about what you are keeping. This is the hardest part of packing! Be prepared for this!

To help with decision making use a simple clipboard and…
Access to a Full Year of Lists to Help Put Your World in Order

a) LISTS! I love that List Plan It has a Moving E-Planner for only 7.00! I can print any or all of the following to help me maintain my sanity.

PREPARING FOR A MOVE -
MOVING COMPANY CHECKLIST -
MOVE YOURSELF CHECKLIST -
IMPORTANT CONTACTS DURING A MOVE -
HOUSE HUNTING COMPARISON -
APARTMENT HUNTING COMPARISON –
MOVING COMPANY COMPARISON -
UTILITIES / ACCOUNTS TO CLOSE -UTILITIES / ACCOUNTS TO OPEN -
CHANGE OF ADDRESS LIST -
CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARDS TO SEND -
PLACES TO REGISTER -
BOX CONTENTS –
INVENTORY OF BOXES –
BOX LABELS –

2) Declutter with a vengeance. Do you have to pay for a moving truck, gas and storage? Ask yourself if what you are packing is worth the cost of keeping it. Consider passing it on. If it’s a nice item, bless your friends!

In 30 married years of packing and moving I have rarely missed anything I have left behind. Don’t agonize over every item…waste is inevitable. Do the best you can but (I’m telling you) declutter ruthlessly. Everything in life is replaceable except our people!

3) Keep calm and carry on (to borrow from Sir Winston Churchill), especially for the young children in your family. Children can become fearful and worried when everything in their lives changes. Keep a routine in the midst of all the chaos. Sit down together for a meal, read books at bedtime, take breaks to go for walks. Pray with your family. I love the saying, “My home is in my mother’s eyes.” This especially holds true when a young child no longer has a familiar home.

4) Celebrate the move. Set aside several boxes with crackers, cereal and snacks to be the last thing packed so it will be the first unloaded at the new home. Grab milk, cheese and fruit when you get to your house so you can all sit down together and smile at one another in your new abode.
Moves are memory makers. A new house is full of interest and possibilities for children…even a dump can be fun because it is different! Have fun. Breathe deep and enjoy the process.


“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it sure makes the rest of you lonely.” – Charlie Brown

Marvelous Marriage Monday

23 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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I had an article written ahead of time for today. It was a good one, stuffed full of great advice for wives about how to treat their husbands.

I think I’ll post it another day because…I was a mean wife this weekend. I was witchy and sarcastic and rude and unappreciative. I had a major fail weekend as a wife, the kind of weekend when I said things like this; .

It’s a big deal when my husband and I have a bad weekend because, for the past 15 months, weekends are about all the time we get together. My husband, Doug, works out of town. He rents a little room in someone else’s home and stays there all by himself while he earns the living that provides for us.

Then, after a long week of work, he gets in his car and drives hours to come home and see us. You should know that Doug hates to drive. When I get behind the wheel my mind begins imagining and daydreaming and I drive mile after mile in a happy haze of thoughts.

Doug, on the other hand, does not enjoy driving (it puts him to sleep)but he does it because he wants to be with his family. He walks in the door and sighs deep as he puts his arms around us. He hates being away.

We love him, too, but we take him for granted sometimes.

So, this post is for my husband, Doug. After privately apologizing for having such a smarmy, snooty, unappreciative attitude toward you, I thought I needed to say it here.

You are the best husband in the world. I love you. Your children love you. We all miss you. We truly do appreciate all that you do for us.

You know the new t-shirt I got that says “My Husband Rocks!”?* Well, you really do. You’re “the Man.”

*Check back here next Monday when I launch the give-away of a wonderful marriage-honoring t-shirt from Union 28 (found in my sidebar). Be sure to be ready to share with the rest of us how your husband “rocks” your world!

Wise Words

20 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Goal Setting, Holy Bible, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Practical Help, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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These aren’t my wise words, I’m not above stealing borrowing some if someone else thought of them first! Pam over at The Passionate Homeschooler is the author of “Think on These Things” shared at the bottom of the page. She is also the mother of thirteen children (as well as three in heaven)!

It is always wonderful to learn from wise women! Not all women grow in wisdom but scripture says (in Proverbs) that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” so there is hope for all of us!

Although Pam and I are both educating our children at home, Pam’s wisdom is applicable to all of us because she is reminding us to focus ; to hone in on our calling as Christian women walking before God.

We live in a world that distracts us! And with all the computer devices in our home now, we can easily be distracted even while we hold a child in our laps.

Oh, precious Christian women, ask the Lord to help you keep your eyes on Him and what He has called you to do. The work is hard but the rewards are worth it.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9

Think On These Things

Always do your homeschooling the way God calls you to do it.

Brainstorm it with your husband! Be united!

Never compare. The Bible speaks all about this.

Glean; then keep what works, and dump what doesn’t.

Always try to use ‘what you have in your hands’ already.

Work your Christianity throughout your school and whole day.

Pray, pray, pray.

Figure out the goals for your family and make sure they get done even if other things don’t.

Study your children. You are raising them for God, who made them and has a purpose for them. Find that purpose. Train them to their bent.

Put your own ‘passion’ into each day. A mom who is excited and fulfilled is contagious.

Walk in confidence with the schooling that God has called you to do.

Don’t look around, but look constantly to Him.

Know that it will be hard. Know that you will be stretched, and persevere!

Love your family, love Christ and make it so you have NO REGRETS!

Pour into your children, expecting rewards from heaven, not necessarily on earth.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Pam!

Pam added this lovely prayer in the comment section after the above post was published. I thought it needed to be shared here;

Dear Jesus,

Bless Jill and the many ladies who are going against the grain to do this challenging, but wonderful, holy work of home schooling. May their confidence be in You.

Rejuvenate the passion in their work as they seek you out often in that quiet familiar place that belongs to you and them. Cause their children to choose a life that honors You, Lord in all they do.

May we be a cord of three strands with our men in this calling; always standing behind them and never in front or some place distant, too busy for them.

You will surely have to do these miracles, Jesus. We need you desperately. We fully trust you and know you are completely able to lead us. We praise you, Lord, and find great joy in being your handmaidens on this journey of wonder.

Make our humble calling become hallowed as you transfigure it through your Spirit.

In Christ, amen.

I’m Pleased as Punch…

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Home Education, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama

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…because Ruth at Pulchra Doctrina very kindly nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award! My first(ever!)blogger award. Thank you Ruth!
As a recipient of the award, I am asked to link back(and thank)the blogger who nominated me, to share seven things about myself, and to nominate 15 or more bloggers and let them know they’ve been nominated!

Thanking Ruth (and linking to her beautiful blog) was easy. Sharing about myself was not too hard but… nominating that many bloggers? Quite a challenge! I am afraid I only have 12 to nominate. I visit the same blogs regularly and they keep me busy.

Seven things about myself…

1. I have been married for 30 years to a wonderful man who loves the Lord and loves me!

2. I have eight beautiful children ages 7 to 27 and right now so many of them are young adults and teens that my life seems to be changing very fast!

3. My calling is to encourage Christian women to trust God as mothers and wives and single women. God is faithful. He keeps His promises! If I can touch women through the written and spoken word and through my very fallible example, I feel like I am doing what I was made to do.

4. I was once a rebellious teenager from a hippie village who ran away from home! Which just goes to show that God is a powerful God who transforms lives.

5.I live in a family full of foodies; my eldest daughter and husband being amazing chefs. I like good food but can enjoy frozen pizza without missing the amazing food my family cooks…it’s a taste-bud thing, you either have sensitive ones or you don’t :-( .

6.I home educate my children and have for(gulp!)22 years…not as long as the early pioneers of homeschooling but long enough to feel like Methusalah!

7.I love “meeting” the many smart, articulate, creative Christian women who express themselves through their blogs. Thank you all for making a difference in the lives of others. May God bless and keep you and may you be real women of integrity who don’t appear to have it all together in blog land. None of us have it “together!” He is the strength in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Praise His holy name.

I nominate these blogs for the versatile blogger award. Please visit them and tell them Jill at Generational Womanhood sent you!

Large Family Mothering

Lady Lydia’s Homeliving

Like Mother,Like Daughter

Owl Haven

What Women Never Hear (written by a man whom I love and appreciate for not being afraid to tackle feminism!)

Chopsticks and Flyrods (eldest sons blog)

Lisa Terkeurst

This Lovely Place

Salt for Flavor (eldest daughter’s blog)

Far Above Rubies

Living on a Dime

Nesting Place

Enjoy!

Wordy Wednesdays Cookbook Review

18 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Book Review, Books, healthy and quick recipes, Recipes, Recipes, Thomas Nelson

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We had the joy of experiencing Southern cooking first-hand when we lived in Waxhaw North Carolina many years ago. I became a huge fan of crusty cornbread, fried chicken and, even, Hoppin’ John! Traditional Southern cooking is not known for being health food, however, and it is easy to err on the side of fat, sugar and lack of fresh ingredients.

Tammy Algood (a food personality on Nashvilles ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates) has created recipes which use farm-fresh ingredients yet remain faithful to tradition.

Farm Fresh Southern Cooking Straight from the Garden to the Dinner Table is a delicious way to enjoy traditional southern cooking with a nice,fresh twist.

Recipe Sections include Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sides, Breads, Entrees, Desserts, Breakfast and Brunch as well as Canning Instructions. The cookbook is paperback and printed on high quality paper with gorgeous photographs. Recipes such as Fresh Peach Salsa, Mixed Pepper Turnips, Dried Pear Bacon Bread and Citrus Zest Waffles will inspire you to try something deliciously different.

The cookbook is also sprinkled with the names and addresses of Southern suppliers of catfish farms, pecan orchards and farmers markets. This cookbook is delightfully different. I highly recommend it!

Lighter-Than-Air Peach Mousse:

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons cold water
2 Teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1 8 ounce package cream cheese
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup peach preserves, melted
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 Cups heavy whipping cream
1 Tablespoon sugar
Fresh peach slices for garnish

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the water and gelatin. Let stand 1 minute; then microwave on high power 1 minute. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, confectioners’ sugar, preserves and butter. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Beat in the reserved dissolved gelatin until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cheese mixture until well combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Garnish individual servings with fresh peach slices.

I received this cookbook free of charge from Thomas Nelson/Booksneeze for review.

Marvelous Marriage Mondays

16 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Holy Bible, Inspirational Mama, Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Lord, I pray for my marriage, today. I pray that the marriage covenant I made with my husband would endure. Help me to persevere in my commitment, not only to my husband, but also to our marriage.

Bless our commitment to marriage, Lord. We live in a world that does not believe in lifelong commitments. We live in a world that scoffs at promises, in part, because those who call themselves Christians have not remained married after pledging their commitment to one another. I do not want our marriage to be one of those statistics.

Give me wisdom as I approach the hard task of marriage building. Help me to understand that a “good” marriage cannot come from my effort, alone. Remind us that divorce does not solve any problems at all but destroys families for generations.Give us a holy hatred for anything that would destroy our marriage.

Give my husband Your vision for what a covenant means. Give him a sense of pride and honor in keeping his promises. Mold the two of us into Your image through our marriage. When there seems to be no good reason to stay married, remind us that we should stick with it because we promised.
Thank You for being a covenant keeping God through all the generations. May our marriage be one small but strong example of who You are.

In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen

“A married person does not live in isolation. He or she has made a promise, a pledge, a vow, to another person. Until that vow is fulfilled and the promise is kept, the individual is in debt to his marriage partner. That is what he owes. “You owe it to yourself” is not a valid excuse for breaking a marriage vow but a creed of selfishness.” ~ R.C. Sproul

For a long article full of Christian wisdom from a woman who teaches what is good (according to Titus 2) please visit Lady Lydia’s blog and read what she says about marriage.

I will be hosting a giveaway of a wonderful husband-honoring t-shirt from Union 28(listed in the side bar) which begins on the last Monday in April! Be sure to check back here to enter the giveaway and be prepared to share what you appreciate about your hubby!