Please Pray!

Our missionary friends the Miles are in need of your prayers. One evening last week, while they were at an evening fellowship time with other missionaries, someone broke into their house in Sentani, Papua New Guinea. They took a couple hundred dollars in cash, their cell phone, both of their much-needed computers, and their brand new camera. Please pray that they will find God's peace during all of this. Also, they have two kids--please pray that they will not be scared or worried. Thank you for your prayers!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Elizabeth

A Giveaway At Feminine Farmgirl!

My friend Jenna, at Feminine Farmgirl, is hosting a giveaway! It is a book called Rebekah's Diary. She recieved it from No Greater Joy Ministries and is giving it away on her blog.

Rebekah Anast (Pearl) wrote this diary while she was witnessing to the people of Papua New Guinea starting in July of 1995. It is encouraging, funny, inspiring, and real! Here is the introduction:
Rebekah is the oldest child of Michael and Debi Pearl. Her
homeschool days were continually interrupted with the busy
atmosphere of a home dedicated to serving God and others. She
grew up seeing the power of God at work transforming the lives of
broken sinners.
At seventeen, having never been away from the protective
environment of a loving home, she boarded a plane with several
other young people and went to South America where she
witnessed the power of God transforming the lives of primitive
tribal people. She would never be the same. The following year,
selling the family cow to raise the last of the money, the Pearls sent
their eighteen-year-old daughter to Papua New Guinea. Eight
weeks later she came home with a heaven born vision. She would
go to linguistic school to learn to translate Scripture into the
language of a primitive tribe.
After three years of preparation and much prayer, she
boarded a plane for the Madang region of Papua New Guinea. She
did not go out under a mission board. She was sent out by her local
church. Her eighteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, went along as her
“protector.” During their four week trip, God led them to the
Kumboi people. They returned to the U.S. so she could get an
extended visa and make preparation for residency in P.N.G.
She soon returned to the Kumboi. This time, with her
seventeen-year-old brother Nathan went along as her assistant.
After three months, he came home, leaving her alone on the top of
a mountain among tribal people where no white person had ever
been. She had no support team, and for the first few months, she
had no communication with the outside world. There are no roads
to the village. The only way in or out is a six hour hike from a
primitive bush air strip.
This is her diary, as she wrote it, from the heights and
depths of service to her God.

This book isn't a "girls only " read! It is encouraging for all ages of a family, but even more as they get older.

Please visit her blog, Feminine Farmgirl, to check it out and enter! The giveaway ends on May 5.

Elizabeth

101 Ways a Young Maiden Can Spend Her Time...

I came across this of "101 Ways a Young Maiden Can Spend Her Time..." while reading a friend's blog a while back. She got it from a magazine for young ladies called Watching for the Morning. This list is fun, encouraging, and helpful to others. Whenever I am bored, can't think of what to do, or just want to relax, I pull up this list, pick something off of it, and do (or at least try to do) it. I would encourage to read this whole list (even though it is long) as some of the best things are toward the bottom. I encourage you to try to accomplish at least one of the activities on this list, as it will benefit others as well as yourself...

1. Read, study, memorize, and meditate on God's Word. Then, when you are finished, do it again.
2. Pray for missionaries by name.
3. Write a book of devotionals.
4. Pray for your future husband.
5. Spend time at Jesus' feet, pouring out your heart and also being quiet, listening to what He has to say.
6. Start an online Bible study.
7. Keep a thankfulness journal (this can keep you from focusing on the perceived "negatives" in your life).
8. Befriend and spend time with godly married couples and families.
9. Pray without ceasing.
10. Worship the Lord.
11. Grow in Christ-like character.
12. Pray for and nurture your relationships with sisters and brothers.
13. Pray fervently and faithfully that you will be a light to those God has placed in your life who don't know Jesus, and actually do so.
14. Read books on marriage by godly authors your parents or another godly adult can recommend.
15. Pray and work to overcome faults that would keep you from being a godly wife to your future husband.
16. Fall in love with your Lord.
17. Take a walk and enjoy God's glorious creation.
18. Memorize Psalms -to make them easier to remember, put them to little tunes you can hum.
19. Learn to work happily, doing the hard things that aren't "fun" with a cheerful spirit.
20. Purpose to work on your relationship with your father.
21. Read a God-honoring Christian novel.
22. Watch an inspirational, God-honoring movie.
23. Listen to music that takes you deeper in your walk with the Lord.
24. Form relationships with married women who live their lives as a Proverbs 31/Titus 3 woman -soak in the words of wisdom they have to offer from experience.
25. Learn God's ways.
26. Rejoice in who God made you to be - unique, speical, one of a kind, created to do works for God's Kingdom that no one else but you can do.
27. Make a list of standards for your future husband. This is not to be legalistic, but to set your standards and convictions in "stone" so that if you are ever tempted to compromise, you can go back to this list. Pray before doing this and ask God to lead you. Consider asking an older adult you trust, or your parents to look over it and offer suggestions. Purpose to never waver from these convictions.
28. Become familiar with and sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
29. Meditate on your relationships with Christ.
30. Wake up early, while it is still dark, and have a special quiet time with Jesus.
31. Reserve the first part of your day for Him, and use this time to commit each and every day to Him.
32. Attend prayer meetings.
33. Read and study significant spiritual works that encourage and exhort your walk with God and help to establish your faith.
34. Keep a box with blank greeting cards or stationary in it. Whenever you have a moment , scripture, lesson, or thought you wish you could share with your future husband, write it down. Seal the envelope, and plan to open them together one day when you are married.
35. Be a missionary.
36. All Christians are called to share the gospel. Your mission might be in your home, next door, in your community, or somewhere overseas. Ask the Lord how you can best share the Good News - He will make it clear.
37. Learn to make things such as soap, candles, bread, or anything else that interests you. Give these things away to brighten someone's day, or as a gift for a special occasion. This can be an amazing ministry - if you are able to make quite a lot, you could also offer these items for sale in your community.
38. If you don't already have farm animals and are feeling adventurous, try to save up and invest in a goat, cow, or a few hens. Learn the basics of caring for animals, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.
39. Research the medicinal and nutritional properties of herbs, essential oils, and wild "edibles." Keep a notebook of all you've learned. This will come in handy some day when you may wish to use natural remedies as a wife or mother, but don't have time to do the research.
40. Work on a home business.
41. Plant a flower garden. Make a beautiful border with rocks or stones. Choose different types of colors and flowers, both annuals and perennials. You can use them all season to give as gifts, to brighten someone's day, or even to decorate your own table or desk. Don't forget to dry them for use in countless projects.
42. Make jewelry. It can be a wonderful gift, and might also bring in a little money if you are able to sell it.
43. Learn to draw or paint.
44. Learn and practice skills that will be beneficial to homemaking -- cooking, house cleaning, laundry, ironing, caring for children, etc.
45. Learn how to play an instrument. Take lessons, or teach yourself.
46. Quilt, as simply or elaborately as you are able.
47. Plant an herb garden.
48. Crochet or knit.
49. Learn some basic accounting and book-keeping skills. This will be a useful skill if you ever are a part of a home business, or even find yourself in need to balancing your own budget at home.
50. Study health and medicine. This can be something that is used both among your family now, and to save money in your own family later.
51. Study agriculture and gardening. A nation's wealth comes from its ground and from what it can produce. In times of economic difficulty, it can be a real blessing to have a food source right in your back yard.
52. Learn a new language.
53. Take (or give) piano lessons.
54. Take a college class, online or otherwise.
55. Start an online business that you can continue as an adult.
56. Learn website development.
57. Learn to sew.
58. Learn and experiment with new recipes.
59. Throw a bridal shower.
60. Throw a baby shower. Mothers of many children often only get a shower for their first, or possible first and second children. However, there is always a need when a baby is on the way, whether it is coupons for local restaurants for a quick meal when the baby arrives, new basics baby clothes, diapers, freezer meals, etc.
61. Cook a nice, hot meal, and deliver it to a tired mother of several little ones, or to an elderly person who can't get out and about. When you don't have time for an entire meal, try a cake or pie!
62. Make coupons for "2 hours of free childcare" and hand them out to married couple who need a date for Christmas or any other occasion. You'll be both serving the Lord, and sharpening your mothering skills.
63. Serve as a "mother's helper" to a mother of many.
64. Organize a benefit bake sale, dinner, or yard sale to help a family in need or raise money for missions.
65. Read with little ones, or help older people who have weak reading skills.
66. Teach an adult to read.
67. Visit shut-ins from your church.
68. Volunteer at your church office.
69. Offer to do house or yard work for a neighbor.
70. Volunteer at a local park or animal shelter. Get involved in your community as a witness for Christ.
71. Teach English as a second language.
72. Do grocery shopping for people who have a hard time getting out.
73. Volunteer at food banks, homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, etc.
74. Visit sick people in the hospital.
75. Sponsor a child in a foreign country.
76. Volunteer to be a baby rocker in a hospital nursery.
77. Help with a home-school co-op.
78. Organize a "constructive party" for younger girls. Work on sewing, baking, card making, etc. Younger girls, especially those who don't have older sisters, really enjoy doing this.
79. Go on a wilderness hike.
80. Play.
81. Decorate a cake.
82. Make homemade cards with dried flowers.
83. Research your family tree and history.
84. Smile.
85. Lead a Bible Study for neighborhood children.
86. Participate in music ministry.
87. Make and nurture friendships with godly ladies of all ages. Find a way to encourage other single ladies around you. Challenge them to wait upon the Lord. Lead or attend a Bible study for young ladies.
88. Love and encourage your parents - look for ways to bless them.
89. Befriend a child who needs a friend, and keep up an ongoing interest.
90. Spend time in the company of godly young men, in an appropriate setting.
91. Send a letter or e-mail to encourage someone and let them know of your love and support for them.
92. Make a video or film that glorifies God. Submit the finished product to an independent Christian film agency.
93. Read the Bible with a friend and put what you read into practice alongside each other.
94. Pen pal with younger girls, and be an encouraging role model for them.
95. Go to your local nursing or retirement home and minister to the residents. Sing hymns or worship songs, play an instrument for them, brush hair, or read for them. Ask if they would like you to pray with them before you leave.
96. Be a Big Sister. Even if you don't join the official organization, invest time in a younger woman, especially one who does not have good role models at home.
97. Blog as a creative outlet and a means to encourage others.
98. Make a scrapbook or cookbook for a friend.
99. Prepare an extravagant feast for a family that has blessed you or is in need.
100. Host a fancy tea party for little girls.
101. Use your creativity, motivation, energy, and any extra finances now to minister to the present needs of others.

I hope you enjoy this list!

Elizabeth

Leah's Pea Delight

Leah's Pea Delight

Warning: Do not eat if you do not like peas!

Ingredients:

1 cup rotini noodles
3 slices Canadian bacon
1 lb. smoked sausage
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. flour
3/4 cup half and half
1/4 cup water
1 cup frozen peas

Cook rotini according to package; drain and set aside. Slice smoked sausage and Canadian bacon, and put it into a skillet with the onion and garlic. Cook on medium heat until the sausage is puffed and red. Add flour and stir while the burner is still on, then add the half and half. Once the half and half has turned into a thick sauce, add the water. After the mixture has thickened, add the peas and the noodles and stir. Serve immediately. Serves four.

I was making dinner for our family this evening and wanted to try this new recipe. I was very excited because it made a nice cream sauce when we used our whole raw milk. Since we haven't been able to eat milk based sauces for several years because of our allergies, this was a very pleasant treat! if you don't like peas, feel free to use a different veggie.

Please note: we doubled this for our family of six, and would have eaten it all if we had tripled it--it was that good. We wanted more!

Leah

Playland in a Day

Today I monitored what Naomi did and found that most of what she does is playing. (practically everything besides eating and sleeping.) Some of her favorite activities include: playing with our old telephone, playing little people, reading her Bible-little children's version (which is playing), making funny faces when we eat (again playing), swinging outdoors (more playing), and drinking from a new water bottle (playing). Here are a few pictures of what she does in a day.

I'll get the phone in a minute...


Redial...

Uh! Wrong Number...

Finally! The right number!


The little people in the wheelchair.

Let's Swing!

Hope you enjoyed finding out what Naomi does in a day!


Leah

A Delicious Bread!

A few days ago we make this bread recipe (Thanks, Regans!) It is called Tupperware Bread. (Why? I have no idea!) It is absolutely delicious! You can make it into bread, rolls, or pizza crust. Here is the recipe:

Tupperware Bread
Makes:
4 loaves of bread
4 pizza crusts
4 dozen rolls

3 1/2 cups warm water
3 T. yeast
6 T. sugar or honey
4 tsp. salt
6 T. oil
2 eggs
10 cups white flour or 6 cups white flour, 4 cups wheat flour

Mix first six ingredients (we did it in our Bosch). Add the flour. Let rise (we let it rise in the Bosch also) until doubled in size. Set on oiled counter; cut into 4 sections. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

For pizza crust: cut into four sections; I am not sure how long to bake it, so just watch it.

For rolls: instead of cutting it into four sections, cut it into rolls; then bake for 12-13 minutes.

This is a delicious bread and fun to make. Enjoy!

Elizabeth

The Poo Crew!

To begin a new chapter in our simple life, we started with something very basic.... Cow Poo! In our efforts to be more "natural" / organic, we are now using natural resources to help our garden grow. Goodbye Miracle Grow and other chemical fertilizers! We really need to thank our new friends the Graveldingers for both the poo and trailer.

Abby and Leah jumping in... literally!

Mom the ever-present supervisor. Isn't Elizabeth a little over-dressed for the occasion?

And the leader of them all is...Dad!

Once it was spread over the garden, it really looked well cared for.

And Naomi did her part, by taking a nap!

After two trailer loads and approximately 5 yards of poo, everyone is quite tired and sore. Check back this summer to see the results!

The funniest thing during our "family time" was the comment from Elizabeth stating, "I really don't mind the smell."

What a nice way to start our blog....

Dad and the girls!