Monthly Archives: June 2008

Musings, Parenting, Rachel

Lessons I Learned Today

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Today I was privileged to learn, or perhaps I should say re-learn, some important life lessons.

1) Friendships require work. They are worth the effort because of the joy and strength and encouragement they bring into your life.

2) Email is NOT the best vehicle for dealing with conflict or struggles in relationships.

3) Prayer is essential, without it I am likely to make rash, head strong decisions. With prayer I am led by the Holy Spirit, covered in His grace, and a godly example to my friends and family.

4) There are two (or three or four) sides to every story. The more informed you are, the better.

5) Being quick to apologize and resolve conflict brings healing and restoration.

6) Mature, godly friends are an unbelievable blessing.

This week Rachel and some of her girlfriends are attending a class on Being a Joyful Girl taught by one of my friends. Each day the girls spend two hours studying what it means to be a godly young lady. A portion of the time is devoted to a beautiful craft and another part to hearing from older, wiser women as they share from their lives.

After class today I was given the opportunity to work on these aforementioned life lessons. In the midst of some conflict, in which I did NOT first seek the Lord in prayer or speak to the people involved in person, I was humbled and impressed by the power of grace, a contrite heart and forgiveness.

How tender of our heavenly Father to use something that Satan meant for evil (stirring up trouble among the girls who are learning each day to be more like Jesus), and turn into a picture of forgiveness, repentance and joy. I am awed by His ability to take a situation that could have festered and caused cracks in long standing friendships, and instead create a deeper bond with hearts tied together closer.

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:14-15

And so lessons are taught to both parent and child. What will tomorrow bring, I wonder?

Kathy

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Family, Musings, Project 366

Cousins, Bicycles and Blogging Thoughts

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Lately I’ve been struggling with my vision for the blog.

What do I want to say?
Who is my audience?
How much time and effort can I / should I spend writing?
Is blogging a ministry or more a photo-journal for the family?

I rode my bike to the library with some of the children this week. Actually we’ve been twice this week. There’s a nice, easy path that leads nearly all the way to the library. I rode alongside David (age 7) this evening. The sun was shining and the landscape green and lush.

“This is a beautiful ride, Mom,” he said to me as we pedaled together companionably. I was grateful for the moment away from the chores and duties of the house and the responsibilities of grown-up life. I was struck by how fleeting life is and how quickly those precious moments fly by.

sarah's new bike

Daniel helps Sarah with her New Bike.

At the library I did a strange thing, I checked out a book. Several books in fact. Works of fiction, for adults. Not a picture book or a movie. Not a school book novel or a cookbook. Later on in the evening, I continued with the strange behavior. I read the book. Many pages consecutively. It was a thrilling experience, but reading a book takes away from bloggy reading and writing.

Last night I was too tired to stay up and blog. The reason I was so overcome with fatigue? The night before I had stayed up until the wee hours reading a novel. This morning I had nearly two hours at Starbucks all by myself. I brought seven books with me (all non-fiction), my Bible, a journal and a thick notebook. I didn’t blog or even think about blogging the entire time.

You can see the trend developing, I’m sure. And I haven’t even mentioned the conviction upon my heart regarding the time I need to be spending schooling the children with focus and attention.

Cousins enjoy a game

Cousin Timothy is here from Norway! Just in time for a game of Power Grid with Joshua.

I love blogging. I love the energy and the connection with other bloggers. I enjoy crafting a meaningful or amusing post. I like pairing interesting blogs with beautiful pictures. I appreciate the opportunity to hone my writing or minister to readers.

But…what is my vision? How does the Lord want to use this blog? Do I care about numbers, stats and comments? Am I only energized and excited about the blog when readership is growing? Do I have the time and energy to make the blog excellent, to write with care and purpose?

Compelling thoughts. I’m not sure what answers will come forth but the process is certainly an adventure.

What about you? If you blog, do you have a mission statement or vision for your blog? How much time do you spend reading and writing? What are you looking for in a blog? What are you NOT looking for in a blog?

Thoughtful in WA,
Kathy – Day 170

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Daily Life, Family, Project 366

Golf Cart Rides

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I don’t think you really need to be a golfer in order to own a golf cart. In fact, I have long suspected that some golfers take up the sport just so they can drive a sporty little golf cart. Maybe you just need to live near a golf course. Take a look at this review for best golf balls for beginners . Do you play golf casually? How about a device that can measure both your golf swings on the course? Choosing the best golf launch monitor at Shop Indoor Golf and takes more than merely ordering the first one you see, no matter what the brand. To get the best one for you, you should know what features will provide you with the most information.
Rachel takes a turn driving

Rachel takes everyone for a spin.

When an opportunity to purchase a friend's golf cart became available, Tim and I quickly jumped at it. Although they don't golf OR live near a golf course, we thought Tim's parents would love to have a golf cart for The Refuge. They have visitors of all ages come out to the retreat center and having a small vehicle available for transportation around the property is just perfect.

the boys catch up

David and Daniel catch up on their bikes.

Not to mention the entertainment value for grandchildren.

It doesn't go very fast, but then how speedy do you want to travel when you're giving tours, observing wildlife and exploring trails. Although if you like to practice golf you might like these lightweight golf bags where you can have all of your equipment together.

Now if we can just get the kids to say goodbye to their favorite new toy.

Rachel and Ally

Kathy
Project 366 - Day 168

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Holidays, Project 366, Tim

Happy Father’s Day

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The children have returned to us! They ate their way through the grandparents’ house and so decided to come home. After several days alone, we were very glad to welcome them back into the fold. What a blessing to have grandparents who will take ALL FIVE CHILDREN for several days!! Not only do they feed and care for them, they also help with their homeschooling, read to them from classical literature, and pay them for the yard work they do.

Is that an incredible deal or what?!
And they’ve already asked when the children can return.
Blessings and more blessings!

slurpees anyone?

Of course, what would Father’s Day be without a run to 7-11 for slurpees?

I am thankful for my heavenly Father and all the ways He fills my life with joy and peace.

I am thankful for my earthly father who brought me up to love the Lord and walk in His ways.

I am thankful for my father-in-law who raised a godly son and taught him how to be a good father.

I am thankful for my husband who pours hours of time, attention, love, teaching, and laughter into the lives of my precious children. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be their father.

Kathy
Project 366 – Day 167

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Recipes/Food

Biscuit Casserole

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The children are off with grandparents, the house is quiet, and I have a zillion projects to finish before my life as a mom resumes. There’s no way I can possibly finish everything. I did manage to accomplish some great homeschool organizing but I haven’t painted a single wall or tackled a bit of the clutter in the garage.

The sun came out this afternoon, unveiling a gorgeous Washington day. Tim and I rode our bikes to the library and then later walked to the teriyaki place for some take-out. Look at us – saving gas money AND getting exercise.

Since I don’t have any pictures of cute children on hand (the neighbors get so fussy when I start photographing their little ones), I’ll have to distract everyone with another yummy recipe. I found this pasted inside my recipe book, it’s from Allrecipes.com. Biscuits are VERY popular with my dear husband, so I knew this casserole would be well received. The mild flavor of the meat sauce made it an instant fan with the children as well.

who's cooking?

Beef and Biscuit

1 1/4 pounds ground beef (I used ground turkey & low fat sausage)
1/2 c chopped onion (I used a sweet onion-delicious)
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 package buttermilk biscuits
1 1/2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (divided)
1/2 c. sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 375
2) Brown ground beef and onion. Stir in tomato sauce and spices. Simmer
3) Separate biscuit dough. Pull each biscuit into two layers. Press biscuits halves on bottom of 9 inch pie dish to form bottom crust. Reserve remaining biscuits for top layer. (Note: I doubled dish and prepared it in a 9 x 13 pan).
4) Remove meat mixture from heat and stir in half the cheese, sour cream and egg. Mix well. Spread over bottom crust. Arrange remaining biscuit halves to form top crust. Top with remaining cheese.
5) Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until biscuits are a deep golden brown color.

dinner is served

Enjoy. The seems a very flexible recipe – you could easily go with a more Italian flavor and use spaghetti sauce or a Mexican flair and add salsa. I’m sure my family would be more than willing to try out any biscuit creations I came up with. The original recipe called for 1/4 c. chopped green chilies which I left out.

Kathy

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