Fried Ice Cream Recipe

I told a few people we had fried ice cream last night to celebrate the good news about the mammogram. Now they want the recipe. There are different ways to make fried ice cream. Some actually fry the ice cream in oil. Here's the easier recipe we like. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. I just added it.

Always at least one.....

Now, I wonder just where he got that from?
(look behind Bethany's head)
For a better picture, scroll down to last week.

Clint the Dragon Slayer

We found a very nice set of dollhouse furniture for Bethany's birthday. Retail would have been over $100. At the thrift store, we got it for $8.95, so I am very thankful God provided for us in this area. Bethany had asked for dollhouse furniture. And, specifically she wanted a doll-sized cat. In the bag of furniture was a cat that is perfect for her dolls! I do not like buying the dollhouse items new since they cost so much for a little bit of plastic.

As we were checking out, this small, timid lady meekly approaches Clint and says "Uh, sir." When he turned around she said while shifting from foot to foot and pointing to the offending beast "Sir, there's a lizard on the clothes. See, a, uh,....lizard!" (What she was REALLY saying was "Kind sir, there is an incredibly vicious looking dragon preventing me from purchasing necessary garments. Could you slay him for me?")

Clint walks over and looks and says "There sure is!" (I am still in line and laughing hard.) Clint tries to catch the tiny, frightened little guy, but the lizard evades him. When Clint gets determined about something, it's going to happen. So, the hunt is on. Clint begins to crawl around on the floor after the lizard.

I hear giggling and turn back again to see my big husband smiling amongst the children who have joined in the chase. Before you know it, we have one blue tailed lizard (skink) in a container I was buying. He was extremely dehydrated, so we brought him home. Brandon has him rehydrating in his lizard terrarium this a.m.

Homeschooling Tip for Write and Wipe Books

These always fall apart after a little bit of continuous use. The pages are still good to use. Separate, punch holes and put them in a 3-ring binder. Then take out the specific one your child needs to use. More than one child can work from the same book this way too. They are easier to write and clean too.

You can also make your own write and wipe with a grease pencil and contact paper. Put the contact paper over any worksheet you need to use often or with more than one child.

Nourishment

Breastfeeding is God's design to provide the best for babies. It has so many wonderful benefits for the mother and the baby; it is no wonder more women are now nursing their children. It is hard to believe in the past doctors told women formula was superior to God's design, but they did. We just can't top God's way of doing things!

In order to naturally nourish our children successfully, we mothers have to take care of our own needs first. We have to get plenty of rest and take in enough calories. We have to make certain we drink enough noncaffienated beverages to keep our bodies properly hydrated so we can continue giving our children the healthy milk they need. When we look to our basic needs first, we have an abundant supply of milk for our hungry babies. Because they are growing so rapidly, it is a constant cycle of caring for ourselves to make sure we can provide a necessity for them.

Mothering continues to be like that as the children grow. They are plants in need of constant watering. If we do not drink deeply from the spiritual waters through fellowshipping with our Father, our wells will go dry and we have little to give our children. We will go drier and drier each time they come to us for the emotional and spiritual nourishment they continually must have to grow strong and healthy in Christ. It is imperative then, we make time to replenish ourselves through Bible study, prayer and quiet times with God.

Wordly wisdom tells us mothers we need time at the gym, time out "with the girls," more romance, expensive indulgences, time from our children and husbands, to put our needs first and so forth in order to be equipped to care for our children. Wise mothers realize those are all selfish pursuits that will not sustain us for long at all. God's Word says we simply need to drink from the water Christ gives:

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Find JOY in your mothering today: Put Jesus first, Others second (your children) and Yourself last.

A Few Thoughts on Contentment

A lot of our hits come from people searching Google for "how to find contentment." Contentment is not found. It is learned. Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (emphasis mine) True contentment does not come from seeking to change one's circumstances. That doesn't mean you stop looking for ways to improve things within reason. However, contentment accepts the situation and adapts to meet it.

Where do you find contentment? You find it in a relationship with God. You accept His Sovereign will over your life. You trust that even in the midst of the worst circumstance, He is working His will through your life for your good and His glory. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Contentment is an attitude change. It's a change in how we speak and think. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. That transforming of our mind comes through a study of Scripture, prayer (talking to God) and self discipline. Self discipline? Oh yes! You think "I am not going to think like the average person thinks. "I am going to trust God in the midst of this time (good or bad) and take Him at His Word."

I am not an excited fan of poo diapers, which I am finding myself changing quite often lately. When I grumble and think of it as "changing a dirty diaper," I am thinking as the world does. When I think "I am so blessed to be able to change the diaper of the child the Lord has given me to raise for His glory!" or "I am making my precious baby smell sweet and feel comfortable." or "How loudly I would rejoice if I could change just one diaper of the children I have lost!!" it transforms my mind. I am no longer serving self by doing a routine task. I am serving God right where I am, doing what He has put in front of me. I am uplifted and encouraged to continue doing good for my child's sake because it pleases my Father. Because of the renewing going on inside of me, through God's response to my efforts, I am even thankful to be doing it!

I was visiting a local church and overheard nursery workers calling the children in their care brats and talking about how much they hated working in the nursery. Neither was realizing what a blessing it was to the spiritually hungry parents who have very little time and opportunity to fellowship or Bible study. They lost sight of the blessings of serving and grew discontent in the doing. You need to be careful of how you share and who you share with. Some people will push you further down that slippery slope of discontentment which will lead to ungratefulness, frustration, anger, jealousy, etc.

Share your burdens with a godly friend who will uplift and encourage. Don't be "that friend" who discourages and tears down either. When you look at how Paul shared his difficulties with his readers, he was brief. He didn't drag out the gory details and have a pity party. Matthew 12:34b ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

It's OK to share or show compassion for another's struggles. "I understand. I found myself in a similar situation and felt much like you do. But, I believe God has a plan for you in this! Here's how He worked in my life through much the same circumstances. Let's agree to pray together and watch to see what God does!"

One thing which helps us find contentment is to look at things as they really are. Our government isn't perfect here in the US, but it is a great deal better than most. My home is a wreck still from Isabel and daily we wonder if the engineers will show up and tell us it is soon time to live in the RV while they elevate the house. But, we have a roof over our heads that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. My husband is not Mr. Perfect in every area, but he's a godly man who cherishes us and gives us his best. Homeschool never meets my lofty ideal, but my children are learning and growing in the Lord.

Now, I have to go; my time is at a premium these days. I am thankful to have things to do to keep busy in this calling God has given me. I have a beautiful newborn who needs nourishment, comfort and to be made clean. I am so thankful God gave her the ability to cry so I can help her when she needs it.

A Rose From Flor de Maria

This is the latest drawing from Flor de Maria, our sponsored child through Compassion. It's it a pretty drawing? And, see the little flower she made for Emily?

Newborn hair loss

Emily's hair keeps shedding. Her head is still soft and kissable though!

It is very hot here and I do not run the a/c in this room unless I will be in here for hours.
So, if you e-mail, I'll get back to you when it cools off a little.