We’ve had fevers and colds here at our house for over a week now . . . When one is physically down, well, it’s hard for one’s emotions to stay on top too . . .
So . . . where does one turn too . . . to the Only One really capable for the task!
“Casting all my care upon Him . . . because He cares for me . . . .”
Last evening the ladies of our house, namely Loraine and I, ventured forth to purchase needed grocery items. It was a very relaxing time! Even growing up I remember having a hard time keeping up with mom at the grocery store, and now I find myself doing the same, dashing through aisles, trying to beat time.
Why is it that when we are on a date or Grandma is babysitting or we pay for a sitter that I subconsciously have to get back just as soon as possible? Somehow when Japheth watches the children I can relax alot easier.
Anyway on the way home, we prayed this prayer, (I hate coming home to a messy house, and I left it in an awful disarray ) “Dear God, please have Papa clean up the house.” Usually, he does something special with them outside or whatever and the house is just as bad or worse when I get home, but they’ve had fun! Anyway last evening our prayer was abundantly answered! The house was picked up and the hard floors mopped! Praise God for a caring husband!!!
Ranch Dressing though was not on our grocery list because we have the best receipe, given to us by a friend! Here tis:
Ranch Dressing
3\4 cup mayo or salad dressing (or can sub. with some yogurt)
1\4 sour cream ( I don’t always put this in )
2 tsp white wine vinegar or white vinegar
1 tsp - 1tbsp dried parsley (fresh is BEST) Can you tell I LOVE fresh parsley!
1\4 tsp pepper
1\4 - 1 tsp onion powder ( to taste)
1\4 tsp dry mustard
1 clove garlic or 1\2 - 1 tsp garlic powder
Add buttermilk ( I usually just use milk) to get desired consistency. Can also add Parmesan cheese if desired.
God is good . . . . all the time . . .
I am ravenously hungry, desperate for naps and cry at ”nothing”. Some of my snacks the past few days include onion sandwiches and dill pickles. What am I?
This morning I cried for help . . . for help to be gentle. Somehow with the added pressures and demands of more children, as the years have gone by. It’s been so easy for me to become frustrated, even angry at the children. ( I used to not have this problem :)) but then neither did I have three, four and five year olds, day in and day out) Will they ever learn to work, willingly and cheerfully? Why do they have to dawdle so? Maybe my expectations are too high . . . but even as they are not perfect, I am not perfect . . . and so I cry for help!!!
“I rise before the dawning of the morning and cry for help. I hope in Your word .” - Psalm 119:147
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1
. . . for us? Well, I guess not, at least not now. We really were considering this . . . :) That aisle down the middle is very appealing! . . . If only it wasn’t such a gas hog!
(Taken on March 15th)
Wayne Robert
Affectionately called “Little Boy Brown Eyes”
May you follow God’s WAY, WAYne . . . May His WAY be your delight! May you walk in His way, day and night.
That I feel like counting my woes . . .
Though I reconsider because God’s ways are so much higher than mine . . . . His thoughts so much deeper . . . and He has a plan and purpose for each “woe” that He allows my way.
But I am having a ‘wake-up-call” on how my children respond to my directions . . . . I was challenged by this “Our expectations are the same for all of our children. They are expected to obey the first time, every time, and with a cheerful attitude. (Yes, we discipline if they roll their eyes or sigh even if they did the task that was requested. Sin is sin ~ whether it’s external or internal.)” by A Patchwork of Blessed Moments on her post Discipline. (Thanks, Sharon, for the link to her blog!) I thought I had a big enough job and that they were getting enough discipline just for obeying . . . now to focus on obeying to the FULL extent! (This is JUST one aspect for feeling overwhelmed.)
So admist my trials . . . I am to “count it all joy” . . . and so I do so in tears . . .
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Sometimes though our “nights” are long . . . and so here I go again . . . in circles. Feeling despairing, yet putting forth my feeble weak efforts to rejoice . . .
Here’s one of our favorite suppers! And of course it’s the BEST when you use fresh herbs! I recommend using them when you make this, especially for the first time, though sometimes I don’t have them on hand but make it anyway.
This does make a big portion, but if you’re like me I like having enough left over for another meal: This saves on time. We usually double the sauce and I don’t always put the called for amount of onions or chopped chicken in either.
Haitian Rice and Beans with Chicken Sauce
3 cup dry pinto beans
2 cup milk
1 tsp sugar
1\2 tsp lemon juice
5 & 1\2 cup dry white rice
1\2 cup oil
1\4-1\2 tsp black pepper
I Tbsp garlic powder or 6 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp dry or fresh chives
1 tsp dry or fresh parsley
1\8-1\4 tsp thyme
4 small or 2 large chicken bullion cubes
1.)Cook pinto beans, milk, sugar, lemon juice, and enough water until soft.
2.) Put oil in larger kettle. Heat, then add the strained beans (keep juice). Heat a little and add bean juice and spices and dry rice. Cover with 1 inch of water .
3.) Cook until no water is on top (Don’t stir much if at all). Allow to sit and steam (covered) until ready to eat (Turn stove off if basically done.)
The Sauce
3 cup chopped onion
1\3 cup olive oil
4 cup chopped chicken
4 cup chicken broth
6 Tbsp butter
Saute onion in the oil. Then add the chicken for a bit at the last. Then add it all to the broth, including the butter (Could also be used for sautéing)
“Better is dinner of herbs where love is,
than a fatted calf with hatred.” - Proverbs 15:17 
On Monday invariably my goals change every few hours or so.
This morning I anticiipated hiring some help in getting some exta cleaning done (my first goal, as my husband thought I needed some help.) My “maid” couldn’t come till 10:00. (Some Mondays I decide to forget school and just focus on getting the house back in shape and then if we have time do some before supper.) This was fine I thought, now we can get some school in before that.
About nine thirty and I decide that school can just go on longer because I am too tired to tackle the house yet (it’s pyscially and emotionally easier to sit on the couch and listen to word lists and reading).
Then I decide that I’m too tired to have her here ( because I need to supervise the little ones to do some clean-up before she can mop the floor and I’m not up to that nor are they after doing school and lots of chores already) So that goal changes. Might as well get lots of school done today.
Pretty soon I realize that yesterday was REALLY tiring on me and my goal now changes to find a way to manage a quiet rest time . . . .
At times some the younger ones can’t stay awake till nap time and mondays are often that day . . . So I decide that an early lunch might be in store and I don’t let the baby sleep as long so that just maybe we all can rest together.
And so the day goes on . . .
“Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning:
For in Thee do I trust:
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;
For I lift up my soul unto Thee.” Psalm 143:8