Mother's Are...

Mothers are people who cook things

Like breakfast or lunch or a snack;

Dexterous people who hook things

Which button or zip up the back.

Mothers are people who blow things,

Balloons and kisses and noses;

Green-thumbish people who grow things
Like ivy and puppies and roses.

Mothers are people who send things

Like letters and strawberry tarts.

Magical people who mend things

Like blue jeans and elbows and hearts.

Mothers are people who find things

Like mittens and homework and germs;

Fuss-budget people who mind things

Like words and snowballs and worms.

Mothers are people who sweep things

Like porches and cobwebs and rugs;

Softhearted people people who keep things

Like artwork, report cards, and hugs.

Mothers are people who nurse things

A boy or a girl or a spouse.

And, all in all, there's not better thing to have

than a Mother in your house!

Author Unknown

In His Precious Name,

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His Own Way

The boys were playing outside and came running in. "Mommy, Daddy, we found a baby bird! Come quick!" There, underneath the tree by our walkway, was a baby grackle. We decided to help him, especially with our cat lurking around. We had found a bird's nest on the ground the week before, so we put that inside a diaper box and nestled the box in the branches close by the original nest, which still had the other babies in it. We had read that if you place the bird back near the nest, the parents will usually continue caring for it in the new nest. We made sure he was safe and kept watch to make sure the parents found him.

The next day, we noticed this same bird, standing atop the edge of his new nest. He seemed just determined to hop right out again. Sure enough, the next day we found a dead baby grackle near by. He had been deheaded, most likely by a cat.

It was sad to see the bird meet such an unsightly end. But, I was reminded of a poem that the children recited at the church school program, "His Own Way." I've been trying to find the words to it, but it doesn't appear east to find!

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Strawberry Freezer Jam

One of my dear friends, Sadie, has given us her excess strawberries this year. She said she already has a good supply put back in her freezer, and she knew that our plants wouldn't produce this year with it being their first year. So far she has given us ten gallons! What a blessing!

We are making freezer jam this week with our berries. The recipe is surprisingly simple, and simply delicious!

I decided to use clear gel (not the instant variety) rather than pectin, since you can adjust the amount of sugar with better results. Clear gel also freezes nicely, without leaving a gummy taste.

Ingredients

4 c. crushed berries

1/4 c. lemon juice

1 1/2 c. sugar

7 T clear gel

Directions
Place berries and lemon juice in pot. Combine clear gel with 1/4 c. of the sugar and add to berry mix. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Add the remaining sugar. Boil for one minute, continuing to stir constantly.



Pour into freezer safe containers.

*Note* You can also can this recipe. Pour into jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process for ten minutes in a boiling water bath.

In His Name,

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