Slow-cooked Broccoli

Here's another recipe I'm adding to my "Fellowship Meal Arsenal." (also known as FMA :)) Enjoy!

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped broccoli, partially thawed
1 can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1-1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 teaspooon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. crushed butter-flavored crackers (about 25)
2 T. butter

(I doubled this recipe and used a 5 qt. crockpot. It fit perfectly.)

Combine broccoli, soup, 1 cup cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper in a large bowl. Pour into greased slow cooker, and sprinkle the crackers on top; dot with butter.

Cover and cook on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, and cook for 10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.

~recipe from Taste of Home

Summer in 30 Days.....The Park and a Picnic

With the arrival of precious Peep and an unexpected trip to Virginia, our school year was a bit extended. So, while most everyone else is welcoming in a new year, we just finished ours last week. We're taking a short break now, which includes taking care of house projects, but also a bit of fun.

I decided to have "summer in 30 days." I'll be surprising the children throughout the next several weeks with fun activities, games, etc.

This past week we enjoyed a visit to a great park and a picnic lunch with some dear friends. Most of the children didn't know what we were doing until we drove up to the park, but the older ones, well, they have a way of figuring things out. :)

Of course, the favorite attraction for the boys was the magnificent trees in the park. Here, Scribe hangs out on one.

Whistler made it to the top, too!
Little Bit loved the swing.
And Boo, too.Peep liked it also, but lasted a mere 15 seconds in it since she needs to work on her sitting up skills and her perception that everything is edible. Yes, she thought this was a gigantic rubber teething toy. The "big" swings were great, too. Who doesn't love to swing?Even I couldn't resist! The climbing equipment was different and lots of fun for everyone.

The Littles especially loved the slides.

Peep did what she could on the play equipment....but she preferred the grass.

Six Marks of Christian Growth

In his chapter on growing as a Christian, Ryle outlines six traits to consider. He reminds us that we are sometimes the most inaccurate judge of ourselves, for others see things in us that we do not. However, we should consider the following and examine ourselves. Are we growing in grace?

(And lest you be discouraged after reading this, think on these encouraging words from Thomas Watson..."Christians may be growing when they think they do not grow. The sight that Christians have of their defects in grace, and their thirst after greater measures of grace, makes them think they do not grow. He who covets a great estate, because he hath not so much as he desires, thinks himself poor." So, perhaps it's also appropriate to say....do you even desire to grow???)

1) Is there increased humility? Are you more and more aware of your sinfulness? Thomas Watson sums it up perfectly..."The nearer he draws to God, and the more he sees of God's holiness and perfection, the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless imperfections."

2) Is there increased faith and love toward our Lord Jesus Christ? We see more things in Christ than we did before, such as His "love and power--His heart and intentions--His offices as Substitute, Intercessor, Priest, Advocate, Physician, Shepherd, and Friend." These "unfold themselves to a growing soul in an unspeakable manner."

(The hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," speaks beautifully of the love of Christ ..."Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love thou art;" As we grow in grace, this is what we think of when we think of our Savior. We love Him more and more. We trust His care for us increasingly.)

3) Is there increased holiness in our lives and conversations? We shall see increased victory over sin and temptations of the world and attempts by Satan to defeat us. Do we hunger more and more to submit to God's will in all things? Are we anxiously looking forward to heaven and a "complete separation of sin?"

"It is a sign of not growing in grace, when we are less troubled about sin. Time was when the least sin did grieve us (as the least hair makes the eye weep), but now we can digest sin without remorse. Time was when a Christian was troubled if he neglected closet prayer; now he can omit family prayer. Time was when vain thoughts did not trouble him; now he is not troubled for loose practices. There is a sad declension in religion; and grace is so far from growing that we can hardly perceive its pulse to beat." (Thomas Watson, 1660)

4) Is there an increased spirituality of taste and mind? Are you more interested in spiritual things with each passing year? Do the things of this world have a diminishing hold on your affections?

"But now our minds are taken off heaven, we dig our comforts out of these lower mines, and with Satan compass the earth. It is a sign we are going downhill apace, and our grace is in a consumption." (T. Watson)

5) Is there an increase in charity? Are we full or more love towards all men, but especially our fellow Christians? Are we more disposed to show kindness to others, to less quarreling, to believing good of others?

6) Is there increased zeal and diligence in trying to do good to souls? Do we take a greater interest in the salvation of others and the growth of Christ's kingdom? Are we persistent in our efforts, not growing weary, whatever the results may be?


Consider these thoughts from Thomas Brooks: "If now you would be rich in graces, look to your walking. It is not the knowing soul, nor the talking soul, but the close-walking soul, the obedient soul, that is rich. Others may be rich in notions, but none so rich in spiritual experience, and in all holy and heavenly graces, as close-walking Christians."

Next post on growth: The Means by which we grow in grace.....

She's On the Move

Life in Pictures 8/31/09

Whistler cuddles with Peep today during Morning Time. She has a knack for getting her to sleep! Little Bit dressed for the Lord's Day. Perhaps soon she'll keep her eyes open when she smiles for the camera. :)Boo couldn't wait to tell me about the beautiful rainbow God gave us the other day. Here's the view from our deck.

Little Big Man giving Peep a lesson in iPod 101. She liked it!

Don't worry....he kept the volume very low.

Peep....squeaky clean!

Peep watching the sunset....

Little Bit in stitches...courtesy of her brothers and sisters.

Quietly resting last week when she didn't feel well.

The Sisters Four

Ready for The Lord's Day

"Likewise, we must also work at getting ready for Sunday. We cannot worship if our hearts are full of secular responsibilities, bitter anguishes, old guilts, and aching sins. We cannot praise with equanimity if we are harried by unfulfilled commitments, distraught over incomplete promises, unsettled because of the Sunday morning fracas. We must ready ourselves physically. We must ready ourselves spiritually. We must ready ourselves emotionally and psychologically. This takes practice which will at first seem difficult. Establishing new disciplines is always exhausting."
~Karen Mains
Making Sunday Special

Weekly Rewind 8/23-8/29/09

What an interesting week it has been, a potpourri of events that simply confirm His sovereignty. Only God can offer such ups and downs and in-betweens in one week....and, all for our good, too!

~The week started with a slight stomach bug traveling through a few of the Littles....Boo, Little Bit, and even Peep. After having coped with severe cases of rotovirus, I was especially praising God for these much milder symptoms. The most unsettling time was watching Peep get ill, for babies can quickly get dehydrated. Praise the LORD, she's doing better, and God has kept the rest of us healthy.

~It's that time. The new water stains this week on our ceiling, in various spots, screamed loudly that we really need a new roof. (ok, Allisons, is this contagious?) :) We'd appreciate prayer for God's provision and for suspension of pelting rains!

~You know those beautiful flower beds the men made? Well, soon after, our lovely plants just started dying. It was very frustrating since we've planted before without a problem. And, this time, Mountain Man diligently prepared a special soil, too. Since scratching our heads doesn't make the flowers grow, we knew we had to DO something. Then, my Beloved said the magic word.....MULCH. You see, the author of our gardening book might not think it necessary, but with the wind and the heat that we enjoy here, we had to have mulch! Amazing...we've watched the flowers come to life this past week....which is quite the reminder that God can make anything grow. (even me!)

~We finished up our school year yesterday! I know...most other children are now returning for the new one, but with a new baby and our trip to VA, we had to adjust our schedule a bit. But, that's one of my favorite aspects of homeschooling....you learn as you live and don't have to worry that your living will only occur at the convenience of your learning.

~I returned to the Dr. to have my stitch (and hair) removed from my forehead and was given the initial report that the biopsy was positive. I later received a phone call from the nurse who explained that this cancer is very superficial, and I have a number of treatment options!

~Mountain Man made a trip to a medical center yesterday, complaining of severe chest pain. PRAISE GOD....it wasn't a heart attack! The doctor initially thought that MM had a clot in his lungs, but that test was negative, too. So, he's been diagnosed with inflammation of the chest wall, which does cause excruciating pain...only when you breathe. The medicines are finally starting to help a bit, and he's just planning on getting a lot of rest this weekend. It's interesting, though, to note what often causes this type of pain and inflammation.....STRESS. Here are quotes from his care sheet from the hospital:

"This is pain in the chest that comes from the surface of the chest, not the heart or lungs. It is sometimes called costochondritis. This is quite often stress related. Chest wall pain can be very painful but is not dangerous."

"....try to eliminate the cause of your stress." "...you must try other means of reducing your stress level."


"Count it all joy....." We praise God for the following:

~there was only one time during the illness this week that I had to get up in the middle of the night. That might not sound like a big deal, but, it is truly a gift for most Moms, and I'm so thankful to God for his mercy!

~Though the children had a few symptoms, they weren't listless or unable to play and enjoy the day

~The roof problem reminds us of our dependence on God and His provision, and we're also reminded to be thankful for everything else about our home that we often take for granted

~that He blessed our efforts to solve the dying-flowers problem, and even brought several of them back to life

~that He helped us perservere and continue finishing the school year even in the midst of continously challenging circumstances

~that my cancer won't require a deeply invasive procedure

~that Mountain Man doesn't have heart issues, and yet, God, through His meticulous design of our bodies, is alerting us that we need to make some big decisions....the drive to work one of them

Isn't it wonderful that no matter what circumstances we're facing, there is ALWAYS something for which to praise Him ? When He presents us with the "impossible," it's just another opportunity to trust Him to do amazing things.

I am so grateful that, because of His mercies, we are not consumed. I'm thankful that the Lord's compassion doesn't fail, and His faithfulness is great. (Lamentations 3:22, 23)

Please Pray

~for God's provision for a new roof
~that we'll enjoy our summer break and use our time wisely
~that the Dr. removed all of the skin cancer when she did the biopsy
~for complete healing of Mountain Man's chest pain
~for God's provision for us to move closer to his work so that we can reduce the stress from a long drive
~for wisdom to know what other ways we can reduce stress and trust Him more
~for submissive wills to His plans and that praise for His goodness and mercy would continually be on our lips

Love,
Queen Mom for the Clan

Are You Growing? Part 1

(Though it's been awhile since we've done our Holiness posts, Scribe thinks we should just pick up where we left off. even though we've continued moving on in the book...so, we'll be posting summaries of various chapters, especially since we have someone else reading with us! Welcome, Sister C!)

"...To every one who is in downright earnest about his soul, and hungers and thirsts after spiritual life, the question ought to come with searching power. Do we make progress in our religion? Do we grow?"

Such are the questions that Ryle urges us to ask ourselves as he addresses growth in the Christian's life. Ryle reminds us of how short our lives are and that we should be actively looking within and examining ourselves. He, of course, is not affirming that a Christian can be more "justified" in Christ, but rather, "that his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked."

Ryle offers the following Scriptures to support the reality of Christian growth.....
~2 Thess. 1:3
~1 Thess. 4:10
~Col. 1:10
~2 Cor. 10:15
~1 Thess. 3:12
~Eph. 4:15
~Phil. 1:9
~1 Thess. 4:1
~2 Pet. 3:18

He then reminds us why growth is so important in a Christian's life.

a) When we're growing, there is evidence of "spiritual health and prosperity." We all know that when something is healthy it is growing. Such should be the case with our souls. (Isn't it interesting, though, that this if often the LAST thing we discuss as Christians. When was the last time you asked a Christian friend, "How are you growing in Christ?" )

b) Growing in Christ, states Ryle, is one way to "be happy in our religion." He asserts that God has "linked together our comfort and our increase in holiness." (How true this is. Christians who are still "babes" and weaker in their faith often suffer from a deeper unrest, a fighting against God's will, especially when faced with trials. Ten years ago, had I been diagnosed with yet a second skin cancer, I would have fretted so needlessly. But, as I have grown in the Lord, so has my trust in Him increased, as well as my peace and happiness in spite of my circumstances. At the same time, I recognize even more just how far I have to go!)

c) Growth in grace makes us "useful" to others because it greatly influences others for good. Want to be a positive witness for Christ? Then make sure you're growing. Want to be a poor witness? Then, remain stagnant.

d) Growth in grace "pleases God." While it seems too wonderful to think that we could actually "give pleasure to the most High God," Scripture often speaks of walking in a manner that pleases Him. 1 Thess. 4:1, Heb. 13:16

e) Growth is something for which we will be held accountable. "Neglect of growth robs (us) of privileges, grieves the Spirit, and makes the chariot wheels of (our) souls move heavily."
James 4:6, Psalm 35:27

***

"A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's sun that stood still, but is always advancing in holiness, and increasing with the increase of God." ~Thomas Watson


~Part 2 will address the marks of Christian growth

A Heap O' Livin' and A Heap O' Praise

Announcement! I've started my own blog which you can find at http://www.aheapofliving.blogspot.com/
It will focus on more "domestic' things and the joys of being a wife and mother. So, girlfriends, grab a cup of tea and stop by! (Of course, we'll still be keeping up The Good Life with pictures and family updates and, hopefully, thoughtful posts!:))

Now for the praise! The doctor's office called yesterday regarding the biopsy report. This spot is much more superficial than the place on my nose, so I actually have a few treatment options to consider, one of which is to possibly do nothing for now! Yippee! Please pray that I'll choose wisely. And praise be to God, Who gave me peace, and then blessed me again with such great news.

Love,
Queen Mom