Tips & Tricks on Tuesday

Good Tuesday Morning! We woke up this morning with LOTS of snow - so much so, that, my two year old and I had to walk to the grocery store for diapers... rather then drive. It was slightly treacherous on our unplowed roads. The store is only 2 blocks away - but, what a sight we must have been. Pregnant woman hauling a bag of grocerys with stumbling toddler behind her - half the time laying on the ground... for fun. {sigh}

On this snowy Tuesday - I thought I'd share a few of those tips & tricks from all those booklets I was given for Christmas. We could all use a little extra help, right? This week I'll be sharing from the, "Vegetable Oil" booklet.

TIPS & TRICKS

-If your car doors tend to freeze shut in the winter, coat the gaskets around the doors with Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil. {after you figure out what a gasket is}

-To deter ants, pour a little extra virgin olive oil where you see them entering your home. Under the kitchen sink is a good place to start.

-Apply Mayo to the white rings or spots on your wood furniture; let sit for 1 hour, then wipe off with a soft cloth and polish.

-Clean your shower door with Pam cooking spray. Spray some on a soft cotton cloth and wipe away the crud.

-On a diet? Try this to curb your appetite: Mix 2 T. grapefruit juice with 1 T. Hain safflower oil; take before each meal. (hmmmm.... never heard of that one)

And for the most useful or fun tip today....

Wanna make clay for your kids? {not dough}

Make your own sculpting clay at home. Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a med. saucepan. Add water and oil. Cook over med. heat for 3-5 mins. or until the mix becomes the consistency of dough. Let cool, then add a few drops food coloring if desired. Store in an airtight container or zipper bag. Measurements below:

1 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. salt

2 T. cream of tartar

1 c. water

1 T. pure veggie oil

Have fun with your veggie oil! :) Who would've known it was so helpful!?

RETREAT!

Rather then just tell you how awesome this past weekend was...

How kids made life changing decisions,
Built godly friendships,

played creative games,

Joined in worship to a Great God,

explored God's creation in the freezing-ness,

ate delish camp food, etc.

I thought I'd share a few pics. Instead.

(can you see me lost in the crowd in this one?!) :)

God is good. Our Sub.Zero 2011 retreat was a success and we are eager to see what fruit comes of it in the next few weeks! I'm always amazed at how the Lord can use a simple weekend away to clear our minds and get us focused back on Him! Glory to God!

Our speaker, Cody Cline, quoted something on our last night that I had heard several times before. But, although it wasn't a brand new idea - it was just NOVEL at that point in my weekend. And I'm asking God to make this true in my life - that I would succeed in what MATTERS. Cody said, "His greatest fear isn't that we'll fail, but, that we'd succeed in something that DOES NOT MATTER." Think about that one today.

.::Ramblings to keep from crying::.

My emotions are on overdrive this morning. You see, we have our annual Sr high retreat this weekend and while I will LOVE being there serving along side my hubby... I'm leaving my baby girl behind. :( It's.always.hard. If you think of it - pray for this momma that I would be focused this weekend on serving the teens and leaders, and that our little girl will be safe, sound and happy. I know she will be! She loves her aunts and cousins! I just don't think I'll ever feel right about being away from her.... oh, what will I do when she leaves for college?! {gulp}

Anyways, to keep the tears at bay {for now} I thought I'd give you an update on some other, lighter topics.

1) Next week I'll be doing a book review on "Everything Christmas" by Waterbrook Press. They have changed their "Blogging for Books" program and this is the first review of mine, in it. I'm debating a giveaway... so, stay tuned in! It's a delightful little book of just that, EVERYTHING Christmas! Recipes, stories behind hymns, international Christmas facts, etc. A quick and fun read!

My favorite parts were def reading about what other countries do for their Christmas traditions and meals - for example:

In Italy they serve a large eel as one of their main courses. Um, Merry Christmas?!

2) Now that we know we are having another GIRL I'm on the hunt for several things:

-Big girl room items for Ava's new room

-Matching outfits for sisters

-Ideas on what exactly to do to make the most of our space

Fun things! I'm dying to do the matching outfits thing, especially! Carters.com has adorable outfits and I can't keep myself from browsing their site. Look at these two!

Seriously! I may end up being that mom that makes my girls match everytime we go into public! I think it's so cute... :)

Ok, so just two things to ramble about this morning. I just can't wrap my brain around much else. But, I am SO excited to serve this weekend and be in the wilderness of camp - away from the noise. I'm eager to sip a hot cup of coffee while having quiet time looking out a window into nature. Have a wonderful weekend and be on the lookout for pics and the book review next week!

Ministry 101

Every single time I'm about to face a group of teens - I have to remind myself of the verse, "Be completely HUMBLE and GENTLE...PATIENT bearing one another in LOVE. Make EVERY effort to keep unity of the Spirit in the bond of PEACE." {my own translation, there}

Every time.

I even wrote it at the top of my attendance chart that I sit and fill out every Sunday and Wednesday night. Something I'm learning as we progress through this life course of Ministry 101 is : People, no matter their age, but especially teens... will respond to humilty, gentleness, patience and love. It may take weeks or months - or years. But, part of my job is loving them to Jesus.

I say this because my natural bent or reaction is to be abrupt or "in yo face" about issues I see and how they need corrected, "because when I was your age...". Uh-huh. And, there is a place for biblical correction in some/many circumstances - but sometimes, I fear, we've lost that in youth ministries and an "anything goes" atmosphere is created. But, for me - I don't want to be that youth leader that is constantly nagging about what a teen is wearing or listening to or doing on the weekends. I want to be the loving leader that approaches in humility and true care for a teen. I want to pour out my life on the students and show them HOW to live by example - as Christ did for me.

So, God has been peeling back layers of my heart - breaking down my rough edges and quick tongue and showing me the power of LOVE and gentle words. Yes, I know for sure that times will come where confrontation and late night phone calls and tears will be appropriate. I know, from what the Word of God says, that it won't always be as easy as soft words and an understanding face...

But I pray and beg God to show me times when I need to shut my mouth, swallow my opinions, and just Love. These kids are too important! Their souls need saving! And God has chosen my husband and I to lead the pack, in a way...

May Baby has a gender!

First, let me share some precious pictures and brag a little about our ultrsound tech, Alma. She was amazing and thorough and thoughtful. She took time to explain each position and angle and what we were looking at... something we didn't fully experience with Ava. As always, my heart melts watching those tiny little body parts squirm and move on the screen. Here's May baby today - at around 21ish weeks.I love the ones where baby appears to be looking at you dead on. Amazing. Our baby was playing with the umbilical cord today... and at one point got fiesty, even kicking at the tech.

And, the big, awaited news...

IT'S A GIRL!

She was a squirmy, happy, 1 lb baby.

Yep, the tech says that according to measurements this little chunker is already at 1 lb at 21 weeks! And, I was also told...to think closer to May 17th instead of the 21st. But I just take that all in stride... we will see. Only the Lord and May baby know that!

As is my tradition - after I found out the gender, I had to stop and pick up that first piece of gender-matching clothing... luckily for me, Kohl's is having 70% off this week. May Baby's first piece of purchased clothing...

As for me, I'm healthy as a clam - minus this nagging runny nose.
My dr couldn't understand how I haven't been gaining tons of weight even with holidays, which I took as a great compliment. My blood pressure is great and I feel fantastic!

Praising the Lord for another little girl on the way!

Seriously Good

For Christmas, one of my grandmothers bought me this little pack of helpful books. There is one for basically all of your pantry item - type things : salt, toothpaste, veggie oil, paper bags, lemon juice, foil, baking soda, cornstarch, vinegar, bleach. Each book contains several pages of little known helpful hints on how you can use them...aside from their obvious. For example, did you know:
-To remove urine from a baby mattress, blot dry with paper towels or a rag, then sprinkle area with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Let dry, then vacuum.
-Help a poison ivy rash clear up more quickly by soaking irritated skin in very warm salt water.
-Remove severe grass stains by soaking in undiluted vinegar for a half hour before washing.
-Squeaky doors driving you crazy? Spray the hinges with cooking spray.

So, yes, there are several pages of info like this in each booklet. Some sounds crazy - but, others might be worth a shot! I love little kitchen and household helps like that. :)

And now... some SERIOUSLY good recipes to share! I've been quite the Susie Homemaker this week and loving every minute I can do it! My goal every year is to continue to provide healthy and delish meals for my family. And, after going out to eat basically every day over Christmas... it's time for some good ol' homecooked!
Today I'd like to share a soup and salad dressing recipe - both are Ah-mazing. :) And, both are pretty inexpensive to make.

Blender Salad Dressing

1 c. veggie oil

3/4 c. cider vinegar

1 med. onion, cut into wedges

1/2 c. ketchup

1/4 c. sugar

1 t. salt

1 t. ground mustard

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. pepper

In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Store in the fridge.
Makes about 2 3/4 cups!
*This may be similar to a Russian flavor - if you've ever had that, which, I haven't. It's very tangy and delish!

Chicken Noodle Soup

2 (14oz) cans Chicken broth

3 c. water

1 3/4 c. sliced carrots

1/2 c. chopped onion

2 celery ribs, sliced

12 oz. frozen egg noodles

3 c. chopped cooked chicken {or turkey}

10 oz frozen peas

2 envelopes chicken gravy mix

1/2 c. cold water

1) In large saucepan, bring the broth, water, carrots, onions and celery to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes until veggies are crisp-tender.
2) Add noodles. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender.
3) Stir in chicken and peas. Combine gravy mixes and cold water until smooth; stir into the soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
*7 servings

Wow! We had this with company the other night and it's such a delicious, thick soup! The egg noodles and chicken gravy made it taste like something my mom would make! No runny Campbell's chicken soup here! Serve with some warm bread and you are all set! Best part is... lots of leftovers!!!

Thoughts on my High Calling

This weekend I began a new personal bible study / book study with the book, "A Woman's High Calling" by Elizabeth George. An oldy, but a goody. I read it prior to getting married and MY how opinions and what-gets-underlined have changed! ;)

Chapter 1 is "A Woman's High Calling to Godliness" and as I turned the coffee-stained pages tell-tale of my college day reading... I was refreshed and renewed all over again by the truth of God's word and Mrs. George's wording. This book starts with a look at Titus 2 and the first topic was how the older women are to be reverent in behavior. Reverent?

"...our behavior stems from a state of mind, from what's going on (or not going on!) in our inner life, and God desires that the behavior of His women be reverent, behavior mirroring an internal sacred character."

"Our reverential, godly behavior should include the whole habit and composition or structure of mind and body, encompassing not only the movements of the body, but also the expression of the countenence, and what is said and what is left unsaid."

Why do I always kind of bristle up when this topic is brought up? I believe its truth and as a woman who claims to know Christ as Savior I do want to follow hard after that truth...

I think it's because it covers not only what people DO see, as the latter quote talks about - but, also what's going on in my heart. That "internal sacred character" is something, I fear, that I'll never conquer in this life. Good news is, looks like I'll always have something to work on!

I was especially convicted when it comes to being home with my family and interacting with them. So often they don't get the pleasant countenence or blessings of my words. For some reason, some days, it's seems so much easier to bless others outside my home - and save my smiles and good cheer for "church people". This is something I long to change and am asking God to truly make me that, "fruitful vine" at home - to encourage and build up my family. Not always easy in the day-to-day, even though my family IS easy to love. I make myself too central. I was encouraged with Elizabeth's last paragraph that seemed to know exactly my thoughts at that moment...

"It's a fact that the first step toward any noble goal is to desire it. And what a truly "godly" goal it is to follow God's will for your life and to set your affections on truly desiring to become this woman the bible exalts so highly and points us to - a woman whose whole soul is absorbed in worshipping Him."