Hope Continually -- Psalm 71:14

Focus is a big thing in the life of a mom and wife.   Oftentimes, we are busy and are being pulled in several different directions at one time.  We sit down to pay the bills and someone needs a drink.  We start to wash the dishes and someone needs their diaper changed.  Because of the nature of the “beast”, we have to go with the flow. When a spouse is in full time Christian work such as a pastor, your home life and your church life tend to bleed together.  It is a natural thing.  However, it can become a thing of contention…stress…and frustration if not handled properly.   How do we handle this situation? When my husband went full time at our church after three years of working a secular full time job, it was quite the adjustment.  Since the church was full time on my husband’s mind, I felt pressured to focus my concentration on it as well any and all times of the day and night.   Not a good situation.  I was ...

Crock Pot Smoked Sausage, Green Beans and Potatoes For busy working moms and wives, crock pot meals are a life saver!  This is a savory meal all in one that is A-1 comfort food.  1 lb. kielbasa or smoked sausage-sliced 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed ½ medium onion, sliced 1 bag of frozen green beans ½ tsp. black pepper Salt to taste Directions: Combine all ingredients except the smoked sausage and place in crockpot.   Add water to cover ingredients.   (Chicken broth can be added for more flavor in place of the water.)   Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until potatoes are done. One hour before you are ready to serve, add smoked sausage to the top.  Do not stir.  Mix before serving.

Did you know that the lids to the Parmesan cheese containers will fit on a mason glass jar? Amazing!  What an awesome idea to reuse a simple and free household product that you would simply have thrown in the garbage or recycling bin.   Think of the possibilities you could utilize this for now!   A few I thought of to use personally: The crumb coating for fish fillets (My husband and I eat a lot of fish and I always have this half used bag of crumb coating.  :/) The powered sugar/cinnamon mix that my kids like to put on buttered toast (We currently keep it in a plastic container with a spoon - what a mess!  And what a problem this will solve!) My homemade Cajun seasoning! (Perfect!) Rice Instant mashed potato flakes  (Especially if you keep them on hand to thicken soups) Italian bread crumbs You can use mayo lids as well to top off your mason jars for other items. So let's say the possibilities are endles...

Often, we hear the sad stories of folks we have known in the work of the Lord to make bad decisions and do some very bad things.  It is difficult to not become judgmental...critical...or even disillusioned.  Even though we know in our minds, they are simply human and sinners...even the best of us have a hard time accepting it.   In these moments, let us remember the following thoughts: 1.   God's judgment is enough.  Enough said. 2.   Do not include others that were a part of that person's life into your judgmental thoughts.  Most always, pastors, parents, spouses, friends, etc. did not have a part in the wrong action.  They are a victim, too. 3.   Judgment should not increase because that person held a spiritual title or position.  We are all EQUAL sinners.  And the Lord died for all equally as well. 4.   Being kind in a situation does not mean you are condoning the sin or action.   Consider Jesus ...

1.   We want to throw your phones away.    I know…every phone call is an emergency  when you’re a pastor. 2.   Date nights should be a non-church related activity.   Thanks for cleaning the church with me…but I still want Mexican. 3.  We feel special when you ask our advice.    Cause we are pretty smart. 4.  You are the one God called as the pastor.        Forgive us when we don’t exactly have  the “pastoring touch”. 5.   Big visions scare us.    But we will be your biggest supporters. 6.   We don’t like you hugging other women.    Yep, I just said it.  7.   We love philosophizing about everything God.    It is our whole life, right? 8.   Socializing, do we have to? 9.   You are our pastor but we need double the  sensitivity when giving us advice or criticism....

What a tough subject to tackle.   My mindset used to be straight across the board for everyone…you shouldn’t.   I have come a long ways in my thinking…matured and broadened.   Becoming a working mom is a personal decision that you have to base on what is right for you and your family.    When we had our first child, I became a stay at home mom.  I stayed a stay at home mom for the next nine years.  Then one year ago, my husband and I decided together for me to enter back into the workforce.  It didn’t happen overnight but once it did, I knew it was the perfect decision and God had blessed us with just the right job.  (I am a caregiver at a company called Senior Helpers for the elderly.)   I thought I would share what factors we based our decision on to return to the work force. 1.  Do NOT base going back to work based on what someone else has done and is successful at.    You are not them.  You...

Another guest post from Mrs. Jenny Musser on Organizing Tips for Your Home. My kitchen is on the smaller side and I only have 5 drawers to put silverware, utensils, dishtowels and all those random things you use once a year, like a turkey baster, funnel, egg slicer-do I even need an egg slicer, probably not!   But there are so many little things in my kitchen that need a place to go.   This organizing tip is similar to my last one and maybe you already do this, but I hope this will be a help to those of you who are looking to get organized.  I picked up these plastic containers at the dollar store and they fit perfectly in my top cabinets .  I use mine for sippy cups, measuring spoons/cups, and they are great for all the plastic lids.   Also, it is a good idea to go through your plastic food containers and lids every couple of months , you will find that you don't always have the lid or your husband used the container to drain the oi...

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles I was born and raised a Buckeye in the heart of the Midwest.  As a Baptist PK, we had numerous potlucks over my childhood. ;)  Someone always made this dish and it was one of my favorites.  I recently found this recipe online and it has become one of my most favorite recipes!  For a true Midwest style meal, serve this over a bed of mashed potatoes and a salad on the side.  Enjoy! 2 lbs. stew meat, cubed 29 oz. beef broth, canned 2 cups water 1 tbsp. minced garlic ½ tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. pepper 16 oz. egg noodles Directions: Place stew meat in crock pot and pour beef broth and water over the meat.  Add in garlic, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Cover.  Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  Add in egg noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Enjoy!

Here is a GREAT idea I want to try.  I found this idea from a blog site - Little House Living. The two ideas I am definitely going to use: To organize my FOUR daughters hair related items.   This has been an eyesore...a frustration...and just a mess to keep organized.  This will be a place to hold all hair pretties, brushes, tangle spray, curling irons, etc. You can organize it by colors for all the hair accessories. To organize spices for the pantry.   How often am I cooking and have to waste time digging in the shelves looking for that ONE spice I need...right then! It would also eliminate purchasing doubles because you thought you were out - instead, it was just tucked in the corner behind all the others.  I have a small problem...I haven't a pantry to hang it in.  :/  But I just need to consider more options.  :) What other ideas would you use this organizer for?

Oftentimes, we relate the Holy Spirit in the "spiritual" aspect of our lives.  Reading our Bible, prayer, church, serving in our church.  And sadly, too often, we forget to invite the Holy Spirit into our every day goings on. One aspect that I have been pondering lately is the fruit of the Spirit - temperance.  We find this in Galatians 5:22-23.   "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."   A simple definition of temperance is simply -  self-control. This year, we decided to host a Financial Peace University class by Dave Ramsey at our church.  I am the coordinator so I have been doing some extra research and homework on the subject of Biblically handling your money.   Wouldn't the fruit - temperance - be a great fruit to have in our financial life?  The self-control of sticking to a budget, cutting up a credit car...

I have read many articles lately on that “perfect wife and mother” .  They all end the same.  Another woman sees this "perfect" woman at everything she does… and feels like a failure.   Until she sees the flaws of that woman!  That perfect woman has her off days too.  Hmm…”I feel better!” the other woman says.  These articles are baloney.  Some women do pretty much have it all together.  They keep their weight down, dress nice, work a job, keep their houses clean and cook homemade meals.  That is good.  That is OK.   Shh, they have a secret to their EXCELLENCE (not perfection).  It is called character and hard work.    Oh, not what you were expecting, right?  So instead of receiving applause for their diligence...their dirty laundry is aired by those who need to feel better about themselves and their short comings.  Oh, not by them!  By those who feel inferior to them....

January.  Just a blah month.  Cold, snow, and cabin fever.  We need to, on purpose, find ways to give us that boost out of the blahs! Here are a few to consider: 1.   Exercise .  Yes, let's just get this one out there first and out of the way.  It doesn't matter what you chose to do, just do it and do it consistently . Choose something you enjoy. I personally use the Couch to 5K app on my IPhone.   2.   Treat yourself .  One of my favorite Mom treats is a 6 inch egg, ham and cheese on flatbread with lots of veggies and Southwest sauce with a Coke on the side for $3.  And it is healthy.  :) 3.   Clean out a spot in your home that has been neglected over the winter .  You don't have to deep clean your entire home.  Just do one cupboard...or the top of the closet...or your vehicle.  Just put it in your plan to do it tomorrow and then do it.  You will find yourself coming back just to see that orga...

On Thursdays, I will feature special guest authors.  I am very excited to share these ladies' talents and expertise with you! Today's guest author is Mrs. Jenny Musser.  Jenny is the wife of Bro. Josh Musser and stay-at-home mom of Reagan-age 1.  They live in Reno, NV.  Beginning in February, they will oversee the music ministry at SVBC. I asked a few young ladies, ages 8-11, at church what their favorite thing to do for fun was .  Some of their answers were playing on the Wii, watching movies and riding bikes in the summer.  If you had asked me that question when I was their age, I would have said organizing!    I would go around the house and find shoe boxes, baskets and anything I could use to organize my room with.  I love having an organized home.  It has saved me time when looking for something and money because I'm not buying multiple items of the same thing because I can't find it. This is the time of year whe...

I can make old fashioned chicken and dumplings...mmm!  The kind where you can't touch that lid.  LOL!  However, this is a second choice for a tasty bowl of dumplings.  And the crockpot does all the work for you.   4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 tbsp. butter 2 cans of condensed cream of chicken soup 2 cups carrot chips 1 onion, diced 2-10 oz. packages refrigerated biscuit dough - torn into pieces 1.  Place the chicken, butter, soup, carrots and onion in a crock pot. 2.  Fill the crock with enough water to cover. 3.  Cover.  Cook for 5-6 hours on high, 9-10 hours on low. 4.  About 30 min. before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the crockpot.  Cook until the dough is longer raw in the center. Enjoy!  :) *You may want to double the broth if you like your dumplings soupy.*

Homemaking is a family effort.   Training children to do chores can be a lot of work.  Working to get someone else to do work...we often resort to just doing it ourselves.  Yes, it can be easier but not the best choice. Here is an idea for older children who enjoy technology to encourage and train them in the area of chores. www.myjobchart.com This is a FREE website that is very easy to navigate.  You, as the parent, set up the account.  You will add your children's names including a photo and their own password.  (I used their birthdays - ex. August2)   Once that is set up, you will enter various chores for each child.  You will also put if they are AM or PM chores.  Some may be both such as brushing their teeth.   The work is done!  When a child has completed their chores in the morning, they will log in to their account and mark off the chores done.  Each chore is worth a certain number of points. ...

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. This past Sunday, we had Vision Sunday.  This hymn is our Chorus of the Month for January.   This week, I was at the church building doing some preparations with my husband for Sunday...and as I was practicing this song...those words just struck my heart. "Thou my best Thought, by day or by night". Goosebumps.  Of all that I constantly have on my mind in one single day... Housework...Home school...Office work...Church responsibilities...Family...Work My BEST thought always should be Christ.  I can have no other BEST thought.   I pray that on this Lord's day...that Christ will be YOUR BEST THOUGHT.

Ladies in Ministry – “What Not To Wear” This post will not be on the subject of pants and bikinis. :D Read on. As ladies in ministry, we will be looked upon firstly at what we are wearing.   It is important.  It is very important.  It is extremely important. I will not go into the subject of modesty.  All I will say is modesty is our first and foremost command in what to wear by our Lord Jesus Christ.  As a Christian lady, everything we wear should be reviewed in our mind as if the Lord were to stand before us. What I would like to encourage you today is “what to wear” . I’m sorry…I do not have a check list for you of what to wear to various functions.  (Even though I am infatuated with check lists. :) )  I would like to nudge you to create your own check list.   Before doing so, here are my personal guidelines when deciding “what to wear” that may help. 1.   Is this appropriate for the occasion?     Fo...