Little Blessings

I think that as homemakers and mothers it is easy to get discouraged at times. Sleepless nights, countless diaper changes, there’s always something or someone needing our attention every where we turn. Sometimes we get caught up in just trying to get things done and forget how blessed we really are. At least, I know I do. But all I have to do is stop and look around me to see all of the many blessings that our Gracious Heavenly Father has bestowed...

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Trusting God

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33This is one of my favorite Bible verses. I love knowing that God has things under control. If we struggle then it is because He has allowed this struggle, and when we prosper, it is because He has given this prosperity to us. All we need to do is focus on following Him, and everything else is up to Him. This is not easy...

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Returning Good for Evil

The subject of nonresistance, and turning the other cheek keeps coming up. It seems to be something I just can't get away from, no matter how I might try! Lately it has been very much on my heart. It is something I continually struggle with. Most would say that I am a very "nice" person, I've been described as "sweet" my entire life. What most people don't know is that I inwardly struggle with anger, and if I am not careful, I can become quite bitter...

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A Blessedly Busy Day

Today was a busy day, but it was a good busy. It was one of those days full of tasks, but they were the type of tasks where you got to actually see the fruits of your labors.We made apple butter with some of the apples we bought in Versailles. The boys love being involved in tasks like this, and it's always a wonderful time to squeeze in some learning! (we did quite a bit of apple counting!)Joseph decided that he needed to "sample" the apples....just...

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The Lord's Day

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD...

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Apple Butter Recipe

I have had quite a number of requests for my apple butter recipe. Since making apple butter is on the agenda for today, I thought it would be a nice time to share it. :)This recipe yields about 3 pints.Ingredients:4 lbs of apples (about 16 medium sized apples)4 cups sugar2 tsp. cinnamon1/4 tsp. clovesDirections:To prepare pulp: Wash apples. Core peel and cut up apples. Combine apples and 2 cups of water in a large saucepot. Simmer until apples are...

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A Trip to Versailles

We took a drive out to Versailles this weekend to pick up some supplies. Our first stop was GVS. The boys loved that store! The boys each got to pick out a special bouncy ball and a balloon.We picked up all the "necessities". Hair pins and clippies, stockings, suspenders, headscarves...And a few "fun" items as well, such as a quilting mat and a set of toy farm animals for the boys.We bought a new guest book as well. (it was even on sale! :) )After...

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"Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently."A friend of mine posted this earlier and I found it to be such an encouraging statement!Plan purposefully."The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty" Proverbs 21:5This verse is often used in relation to business and finances, but I think it can be applied to homemakers as well. Proper planning is an essential...

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Dear Father, bless the one...

"That needle poking to and fro, Means so much more than you may know. Each snap, each button, each shirt, each dress, contains something you'll never guess. Each garment Mom makes, from the start, contains a small piece of her heart. With every snip she adds her love, and whispers a prayer to God above. Dear Father, bless the one who wears this, protect and guide them with Your kindness. Give them strength from day to day. That from all sin they'll...

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Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!I have always had a fondness for this hymn. Every now and then I will find myself singing this, and usually it is when I am in need of a subtle reminder to turn to...

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Psalm 119:133

"Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." Psalm 119:133A friend of mine shared this verse earlier today, and it really touched my heart. This verse has been on my mind for several months as we were seeking and trying to discern God's direction in our lives.For the last year our family has been floating. After we had left the Mennonites we didn't know where to go. For the first time in a long time we felt as if...

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Stitching With Baby

I am making each of the boys a special quilt as Christmas gifts. I began working on James' quilt this afternoon. :)I finished stitching the first block for James' quilt this evening. His quilt is blocks of alphabet letters and sweet little nursery animals and such.Baby James wanted to see what mama was working on, so he climbed up to look. What precious little moments! I know he won't remember watching me make his quilt, but I look forward to telling...

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A New Pink Quilt!

I began piecing this quilt for a wonderful friend. I love that it is made completely from scrap material. Aside from being rather frugal (you can't beat free!), each fabric has it's own story, it's own unique history and that makes the quilt all the more special. I love making things for people. I love taking the time to pray for them as I work with my hands. It's a special time to me, and it reminds me all the more of the love that I have for whoever...

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Why is the Wilderness a Blessing?

My husband and I were talking with a minister friend of ours and he said something about how we are in the wilderness, and the promised land is in heaven with our Lord. Why would this wilderness be a blessing?Where do we learn? Where do we grow? Where do we go through the refining to become more holy? The wilderness. Without the trials and struggles we face, we would never grow. It is easy to trust in God if we never face difficulties, but it truly...

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The Lord's Day

This Sunday was our first time back at the Mennonite church since we had left. We had a great mix of emotions...nervousness, joy, a longing to visit our dear friends, a worry they would be upset at us for having left...so many things.I had wondered what it would feel like, to be in the church again. Would we feel like strangers? Would we feel at home?Our drive there was an hour and fifteen minutes long. After the first 20 minutes, it was all...

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