Bible Journaling

  Greetings in His name !

This week I have been having alot of contemplative moments, reflecting back on the pain and suffering we feel as humans.  I've come to the conclusion of "what right do I have to complain?"  As humans and sinners we are subject to daily feelings of dejection, disappointment, jealousy, physical pains and so much more.  I have to remind myself that we were never promised that this would be an easy life, but we are to live so we might forever spend our lives at our Maker's feet.  

Having suffered many losses in my life, I often lament "Why God? Why did you take my Daddy away at such a young age?"  I also lament the loss of young babies before they are born, babies killed by abortions, young people dying in accidents, the seemingly randomness of cancer victims.  Years ago I read the book "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People" but I didn't have an epiphany upon completion.  

So here I am seeking out answers in the Good Book, the Holy Bible.  Here are some scripture quotes for contemplation:

John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Jesus speaking)

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I read these scriptures I like to highlight them in my personal Bibles. There is a growing trend for people to decorate and 'journal' in their Bibles.  Having seen some of these examples I am very impressed with their creativity!  So I purchased a set of colored pencils and have started some simple 'coloring' of scriptures as I read them.  If you are just starting, I'd suggest that you start with some simple outlining of the quote with a darker color and then filling in with a lighter color.  This is not about creating a work of art, but creatively enriching your reading and learning of scripture!  There are many wonderful ideas on line, especially on Pinterest.  As with many of these sites, please be careful not to try and emulate all of the ideas you see! Many are done by professionals using techniques we can't replicate.  Use some for inspiration to get you started. Start simple with the outlining. Add a few simple shapes such as hearts, the 'fish'/icthus symbol or highlight the Word of God.   I have found it very relaxing and it forces me to focus on the words...soak them in...learn the scripture.  

During church I will often mark the date of the scripture reading for that day.  If I am reading a certain scripture on a day of significance (funeral, birthday, holiday) I will make a little note.  It is so nice to come across these notes in the future. 

Many Christian book stores now offer Bibles printed just for journaling!  There are also special pencil sets and stencils for such uses.

So I hope that I have inspired you to start journaling in your Bibles!  Learn the Scripture. Drink in the wisdom and guidance we have been given. Learn it. Live it!

Laundry Day...well DAYS

Wash on Monday,

Iron on Tuesday

Mend on Wednesday

Churn on Thursday

Clean on Friday

Bake on Saturday

REST ON SUNDAY!

Many of you know of my love of hanging laundry outside to dry.  We are into our fourth month of not using an electric dryer. At first I was not sure if I could handle it, but now it's become a routine and we appreciate the lower power bills and the fresh, windblown laundry.  

As spring approaches each year I move from my indoor drying racks to my clothesline.  Shortly after we moved into this house I fashioned a temporary clothesline from a tree to a nail on the wooden fence. My dear husband commented that I needed a 'real' clothesline and gifted me with nice while vinyl clothesline poles and four lines.  My mother-in-law's first comment was "why would you NEED four lines."  I laugh now as I see four lines of laundry flapping in the breeze. It sure doesn't take long to fill up those lines.  

My favorite clothespin bag

My dear husband tells tales of his boyhood and hanging out diapers on the clothesline in the freezing cold. His little hands were so cold and the diapers froze on the line.  Growing up in an Old Order Amish home, this was the routine. Being the oldest child he quickly learned that he was Momma's helper.  I smile when I think of that little Amish boy who is now my husband. (No, he doesn't help with laundry now! tee hee )

Everyone needs a little Yorkie to watch you work!

I like to listen to the sounds of our little village when I'm at the clothesline. If I'm early enough I can hear the sounds of work trucks and semis on the nearby state route.  Birds singing. The clock tower chiming the hour from the courthouse.  If school is in session I might hear the school children playing from a few blocks away.  An occasional airplane if it's aerial planting time.  For the most part our skies are clear with no chemtrails from aircraft.  It is also a good time to pray!

      I find you so close to me right here, dear Lord.

Surrounded by the dirt and scattered clothing of my family, I find this an ideal spot to pray with you. No one comes near here so it is quiet, and it gives me a chance to reflect on the many blessings of my life.

As I pick up their clothing and sort it, I ask you to give each of them what is needed most in their lives.

I fill the washer with my husband’s shirts and socks, and ask that you bless him as he wears them to work each day. Give him the grace to see that his work is holy and open his eyes to see the sacredness of each moment of life.

As I sort the tiny socks or the overalls of the children, I smile and remember how blessed I am to have them in my life.

I sort the larger teenage clothing and wonder at how fast these clothes have become larger sizes – and how quickly children grow up. I ask your help as I guide them through each new phase of their lives.

Give me a love that is endless, a heart that forgives them and the humility to ask for their forgiveness when that is right. Help me keep them from danger, and help me to let go and trust you when it is time to do that.

I try so hard to be perfect but lead me to remember that it is here in the smudged, disorganized and disheveled part of life that I find you the nearest.

Thank you, dearest Lord, for so much grace in my life!

Amen.

— Source: Creighton University.

Look at that sky full of puffy little clouds!

I used to try and do my laundry all on one day, but with our current washing machine it takes a very long time to wash one load.  This machine is supposed to be a water efficient machine, but it infuriatingly slow.  So I end up doing laundry almost every day, especially when nice weather is forecasted.  During the winter months I will dry on racks in the house. This adds some nice humidity to our dry air. The drying racks I use are nice sturdy wooden ones from a local Amish hardware store.  They will hold an entire load of laundry.  I also dry on our covered patio if rain is predicted.

One tip I have found helpful for line drying is to hang shirts on hangers before putting on the clothesline.  My sister in law introduced me to the idea of putting a length of plastic 'chain' onto the clothesline by threading it onto the line. This will make hooks for the hangars to hang. The laundry on the hangers will stay in place and not blow off the line.  The resulting drying will be mostly wrinkle free!

Another thing I try to do is wash out dark items inside out and hang this way on the lines.  This will help prevent fading during washing and drying.  For jeans I hang them from the hem and allow the waist to hand down. This seems to dry quicker and prevents too many wrinkles.

Here is a quick homemade stain remover/pre wash recipe I've been using for years.
Remember to use the original Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, no substitutes.
Using equal amounts of blue Dawn dishwashing liquid, ammonia and warm water mix in a spray bottle. Label your bottle :)  My original recipe included 6 Tablespoons of baking soda. I no longer add this due to a clogged sprayer every time!  The cleaning power seems the same without it.



This is one of my favorite blogs. She has an entire section devoted to laundry with printables and inspiration!

Meal Planning

One of my weekend routines is to work on my meal planning for the next week..preferably two weeks.  Do you plan your meals?  I am a planner and a binder fanatic.  My friend Stephanie laughs at my organizing binders and suggests that I need a support group to help with my obsession!  But being a high functioning A.D.D. victim, the binders help me keep a grasp on LIFE.  One of my most used sections in my HOMEMAKING binder is "Menu Planning."  

My routine is to grocery shop every other week. Now this shopping includes all of my foods, paper products, and household products.  I do still have to purchase a few items in between these major shopping trips, such as milk and fresh produce.  My sister in law Mary and I make a trip to a nearby town and do the majority of our shopping at Aldi. We then supplement this shopping with a visit to a grocery store and bigger box store.  

Before this shopping trip I sit down with my menu planning sheet, cookbooks and recipe book.  One the planner sheet I mark special events, work schedules, and other variables.  I then peruse the cookbooks for favorites or new ideas to try. As many of you know, I have a massive collection of cookbook!  I also have a nice collection of "Taste of Home", "Quick Cooking" and other magazines.  Yes, many of these are in binders, So on the covers of these magazines I have a small piece of paper with recipes and page numbers for items I have made or would like to try.  This helps me glance through the stack instead of the entire magazine.  I'll write down recipes or dishes on the planning calendar on certain dates. Now, I will have to confess that my plans do not always go as scheduled!  But that's o.k., I can always adjust the dishes and dates.    On the planning calendar I also note the location of the recipe.

So during the following weeks I can look at the calendar and know what I'm making and can defrost and gather the items needed. I usually do this in the morning and gather the items on the counter, set items out to thaw and such.

My favorite menu planning pages are from Mom's Tool Belt.  This is an awesome website for planners. Now some people, such as Stephanie, may feel too restricted, but I LOVE printable planning pages. Helps me feel a little more in control of my days.  

Blessings on your holiday weekend. Let us not forget all of the people who have died serving the land of the free, our beloved United States of America. God please help us restore our once proud and strong Christian nation.

Here is the planners I use!  Click on the photo for the link!

From the Miller Family Kitchen

Well, it is hovering around 80 degrees right now, with 60% humidity so we surely know this is the advent of summer weather.  As some of you know, I'm not a big fan of the heat and humidity combo.  I do tend to adapt my cooking style during the warmer months, but heated up the oven today to bake something 'sweet.'  I honestly have found if I don't have a 'sweet' around once a week we all tend to graze..looking for something to satisfy that urge. This recipe is one of my favorites as it is very quick and easy to prepare and very versatile.  You can make them plain, as the recipe is written, or add chopped nuts, dried fruits, chocolate or flavored chips. They will certainly fulfill any urges you have for a chewy, sweet treat.  They make a 13" x 9" pan, which is my favorite.   Hope you enjoy this recipe, they are worth heating up the kitchen to make!

BROWN SUGAR BARS

1 cup butter (do not substitute)

2 cups dark brown sugar

2 t. baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt (eliminate if you use salted butter)

2 t. vanilla extract

2 cups flour

2 eggs, beaten

Preheat over to 350 degrees

Lightly grease a 13" x 9" baking pan

In a large saucepan melt the butter. Add the sugar and stir well. Add the flour, then the baking powder and salt.  Add the vanilla to the beaten eggs. Mix this into your pan with the other ingredients.  The batter will be pretty thick. Spread into your prepared pan. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Don't overbake.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

I'm back in the saddle again...

Good morning friends!  I've made a prayerful decision to gradually leave Facebook and gear my creative energy to this blog.  Having a ravenous appetite for homemaking and creating I am always seeking out new ideas and inspiration. Having a blog will give me the opportunity to share my ideas.  Read at your leisure and I hope you find some inspiration.  I lovingly embrace my role as a wife and mother in my homemaking, albeit an ever evolving role. God Bless you and your family. Thanks for reading my little corner in this big world God has given us to share.