Thursday, August 26, 2010

M.I.A.

Life around here has taken priority over blogging and I still don't quite have my head above water.  I promise to get on here again soon!

In the meantime, here is what I'm not doing:
  • previewing a dvd for bible study
  • calling all the women in my small group
  • ordering my girls' textbooks
    (WHY doesn't someone do something about the cost of textbooks?  Even used!)
  • staking my overgrown tomatoes
  • enjoying cut flowers from the yard
  • going for a walk every evening
  • memorizing the chunk of scripture I've been meaning to memorize
  • calling a dear friend who wrote a hand-written note to me
  • finishing The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
There.  I hope I've made you feel better about yourself!

I'll end with a pic of my youngest taken this summer at Brightwood Ranch.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

links



@Life Overseas
Getting close to those less fortunate really does
increase my gratitude.

@I'm Just Saying
Are you dwelling on the right "What ifs?"

@Linda's Patchwork Quilt
I loved this because it reminded me of my mom's
love for her granddaughters but also because I want to
really know how much God loves me.

@The TCM Blog
Oswald reminds me that God isn't as focused on the end as on the process.

And on a more serious note...
@Imparting Grace
Free gift included!

Have you seen this website?  Enter multiple destinations and it finds the optimal route 4 you!

Tim Hawkins - maybe he'll make you laugh too:



Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Copy Cat




Look kinda familiar?

I know that imitation is the best form of flattery so the fact that The Pioneer Woman - whose blog has something like 8 million followers and who appears on tv and who has another website, The Tasty Kitchen, devoted strictly to cooking and recipes - the fact that she felt the need to copy my blog idea last Monday and post a recipe for Raspberry Crisp is quite a compliment.

Or, it could be that she already has this recipe in a cookbook and is just kind enough to share it with her bazillion fans, including me.  I think you should try it out - I know I will. 



Ree's

Mine


The Today Show hasn't called me yet.  Nobody has! 

But just knowing that The Pioneer Woman reads my blog and gets her ideas here is enough for me. 

Yeah, right.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Raspberry Peach Crisp

Summer means fresh fruit - peaches, nectarines, melon, cherries and lots of berries!  Here's a recipe I put together to enjoy two of my summer favorites... Enjoy!



Raspberry Peach Crisp
Printable recipe here

3 c raspberries
2 c sliced peaches
1 c brown sugar
3/4 c rolled oats
3/4 c flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 Tbl butter

Toss together berries and peaches.  Spread evenly over bottom of a lightly buttered 2 qt. baking dish.  In medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and oats.  Using pastry blender, work butter into oat mixture until crumbly.  Spread over fruit, pressing down firmly.  Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned.  Cool slightly before serving.  Top with vanilla ice cream (homemade if you can!).  Serves 8.


Friday, August 6, 2010

Getting really good at... giving?


There are a lot of things I'd like to be really good at:

Encouraging.

Listening.

Writing.

Playing the piano.

But I haven't thought too much about being good at giving - until I came upon this verse.

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:7

What if I were to become an excellent giver? 

Actually look for ways to give.  Try to get really really good at it.

Wow.  You might not recognize me.

Here's the dictionary definition of excel:

To be or go beyond a limit or standard.
To be preeminent or to be at a level higher than others.
To be superior in performance, quality, or degree. 
To outdo in doing or performing.


Sounds a little competetive, doesn't it?  The thing about biblical giving is that it's done without others knowing.  So I think the one I'm trying to outdo here is myself.

What's my limit or standard?  Well, my tithe.  A few extra things we give to regularly.  But really not much beyond that.

That's not very difficult to improve on.

And not just with money.  I can also give time - which, I hate to admit, is almost harder for me to do.

So this is what I'd like to do - challenge myself to get good at this.  


The alternative is an ugly picture.


I'm picturing anything "under my mattress" that I can't take with me to heaven.  I don't know about you but I don't have a LOT of money.  But I've got a LOT more than most folks.  What am I hanging on to?  Why? 

One thing we're doing is sponsoring a little girl in Ethiopia whose family has nothing.  Her parents sell sticks for firewood to try to feed their children but it isn't enough.  For only $30 a month, your family can sponsor a child and absolutely change a life.  Here are a few of the kids who need sponsors:


Derartu
She is 7 years old.  Her mother died and her father left her to live with her grandmother, who has trouble providing food for her granddaughter.



Midaso
He is 8 years old.  His mother is dead and his father works as a guard but doesn't earn enough to send his son to school.


Durti
She is 5 years old and the middle of five children.  Her father is a missionary and struggles to support his family.



Sebona
He is 5 years old and one of five children.  His father works hard to provide for his family by selling firewood and helping farmers but it's not enough income to feed his children.


Alemitu
This little 4 year old girl lives with her parents and 3 siblings.  The family lives in extreme poverty as the parents are unable to find work enough to provide food.

If you would like to help any of these children, please send me an email at:
becky (at) adoptionministry (dot) net

Your monthly gift of $30 is income tax deductible and I'll send you a prayer card so you can involve your kids in the lives of a child across the globe.

It would be an excellent decision!






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