A HEART AT HOME: April 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

Just Enjoy!

The Lord is teaching me more and more each day about His rest. We have had our share of hardship and trials over the past few months. My mother died very suddenly this past December. Just two weeks before her death, our 4 year old son was diagnosed with autism. And just a couple weeks ago, I took one of the girls to the doctor for pink eye only to discover she has a heart murmur. She was referred to a pediatric cardiologist and some abnormalities showed up on her EKG. Now we wait for the next appointment for more testing. Waiting is just plain difficult. It is excruciating at times. It seems like torment. However, it is within the waiting room of hardship and adversity that our faithful Lord teaches us about true rest and leaning upon Him.

I am finding that even though some days I do not handle stress very well, my Father truly understands my weakness. He does not get frustrated or angry with me. He just wants me to lean on Him. Simple as that.

And He keeps His arms around me even though I sometimes get frustrated with Him because I cannot feel His embrace. Faith is more than what I am feeling. Faith is assurance. Faith is knowing He is holding me regardless of what my mind or emotions say .

He just wants me to live each day enjoying the simple things in life. For the simple things are truly what brings pleasure and delight to the soul. Through trials we learn to appreciate the seemingly insignificant moments and pleasures. The insignificant becomes very significant.

There are lovely reminders God has graciously given us to capture each day if we will just stop and take notice. When I soak in His beauty, I find healing and peace.

In His grace, I can truly enjoy all the beauty around me, even within the seasons of the unknown.

There is comfort surrounding me. There is sunshine in my darkness.

There are smiles within the midst of my tears. Because of who He is, I can enjoy my life. I can have abundant life. My eternity is not only held within the future but I am living it in the now.

May you always discover hope in the midst of your fears. May you enjoy each day as you lean upon the Hope of Glory.

Love to my friends,

Ange

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Welcome to a Heart at Home

Click. Click. Click. Hello! Is that you clicking on the door of my little nook on the net? Welcome. Come on in and let me share my life with you. My life and heart are open and may you find something of value here that will lift your heart, inspire you or just give you a little break from the demands of your busy day. The coffee is ready and the pumpkin muffins are fresh and hot. Have a seat and relax!

A Heart at Home is one that gives, lives, loves, laughs,rests,heals,nurtures, and edifies other hearts that either dwell within our houses or enter in for a visit. This blog is my gift to you. Whether you are a stay home mother, newly married, a grandmother, a single mother, or single woman who desires to bring life and hope to others, there is plenty here for you.

A young single woman once told me she felt as though she was intruding when she read these blogs because she is not yet a mother or wife. However, if your dreams are to create places of life and love wherever you are or wherever you tread, I hope you will find encouragement, inspiration and useful tools here.

Imparting love, life and the gifts of home are limitless. Wherever your journey in life leads you, you have the opportunity to shed light and to be a living vessel that releases all the elements that make others feel at home.

You are meant to create and to take your life out to be shared. You are meant to be free to love and to open your heart to others who need a breath of refreshment . May we utilize the tools, gifts, and abilities God has given us and spread abundant life to those within our circles of influence.

In this little nook you will find various things. A collage of sorts from my personal life and journey. There will be insights, struggles, joy, frustration, stories, art, simple ideas for the home, photos, recipes and much more. Welcome to my little pad on the net! You are always welcome to my Heart at Home!

Caught on a Thought

Do not call me a Christian. There are too many Christians who do not believe.

Do not call me a believer. There are too many who believe but do not act on what they believe.

But please call me a disciple. A disciple is a learner. A disciple is one who takes what he learns and acts upon it. A disciple is one who is passionate about what he believes in and is not ashamed to let others know. A disciple spends himself for others regardless of the cost.

Call me a disciple. Call me crazy. But a disciple is what I want to be. A Cogburn

Homemade Pizza

This recipe is made in a bread machine. However, if you do not have one, there are really delicious pizza crusts you can buy premade. Pillsbury makes a really good pizza crust in a can. It is sold in the refrigerated biscuit section in the grocery store.

Add all of these ingredients to the bread pan in the order given.

1-1/2 cup warm water
4 Tbl. olive oil
4-1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. yeast

If your machine is equipped with a "dough only" feature, use this setting.

When dough is finished, remove to a floured board if using immediately. Or place the dough in a bowl greased with olive oil, turn dough over to coat it, cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate until ready to use.

We use pizza sauce in a jar. Use pizza cheese and your selection of toppings such as beef, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, etc.

This 2 pound recipe makes 2, 12 inch pies. Bake pizzas at about 375 until crust is done.

Ponder this Promise

Simple Angels

These precious little angels cost about 4 cents to make. They can be used as ornaments or as a bow on a gift. We plan to make some to give to neighbors along with pumpkin muffins. Because they are so simple and inexpensive, you could give a dozen or so to a neighbor, friend or family member. They can then choose to use them as bows or ornaments. All of the materials were purchased at Walmart and the dollar store for under 8 dollars. This will make at least 50 angels.

Materials"

1 package of white coffee filters
1 package of raffia
silver or gold plastic wedding rings (in craft section of Walmart)
your choice of narrow ribbon-gold, white or silver (purchased at Walmart for 45 cents for 5 yards.
small styraphome balls or gold bells (purchased at dollar store)
glue gun

Flatten out two coffee filters. Place small ball or bell in center.
gather filter around the ball or bell and tie tightly with narrow ribbon. Tie ribbon into bow. Take several strands of raffia (about 3 to 4 inches) and tie into bow. Hot glue the bow to back of angel for the wings. Hot glue plastic ring to the angel's head. Use a single strand of raffia or gold thread to glue to the back of the angel's head if you want to make it into an ornament.

Get the whole family involved so you will not cheat on them! A fun and easy project. ENJOY the simplicity!

Symbolic Food

As you are planning your Thanksgiving meal this year do not forget to add the cranberry sauce. As you are serving and enjoying this traditional side dish remember what it represents this Thanksgiving. Here are some neat facts you can copy and share on Thanksgiving Day with your family.

Cranberry is a small sour berry which grows in bogs or muddy areas. (Remember good things grow out of messy places. God is the Redeemer)

Indians used cranberries to heal infections. (May this Thanksgiving be a time of healing if you need it)

The dye in cranberries was used to color the Indian's rugs and blankets. (May you be covered in God's blessings this year)

Indians taught the settlers how to cook a sauce with cranberries, water, and sweetener. (May every bitter thing in your life be sweetened this Thanksgiving)

The colonists called cranberry "crane-berry" because the flowers bent the stalk over and it resembled the long neck bird called the crane. (May you remember that God teaches us humility (bends us) through hardship. He wants you to depend on Him.

Even today before the berries are sent out to the rest of the country from New England, each individual berry must bounce at least 4 inches high to make sure they are not too ripe. (May your heart bounce and leap in knowing God's heart for you.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me last week. Her pastor's wife had shared it with her. We tried it out last night and it is delicious. We made four of them for our family as one only serves two people. The children had a blast helping and we all enjoyed eating them. Craving chocolate? You must try this!! YUMMY!

4 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
small splash vanilla flavoring
1 coffee mug (microwave safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly
Pour in milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips if using and vanilla flavoring. Mix again.

Place mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. the cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed.

Allow to cool a little. Tip out onto a plate if desired or slice into individual pieces.

EAT!!

Tommy, our 16 year old had a great idea. Buy mugs at the dollar store. Place all dry ingredients inside a baggie. Place inside of mug. Write the recipe on a small card to tie onto the handle of the mug. Only the moist ingredients will need to be added. Wrap in colored clear wrap and tie with bow.

Makes great gift for friends, teachers, neighbors and family.
Happy Holidays!

Mother's Smoothie

After the birth of my 9th child, two women from Taiwan came to stay with us to help care for our family. Every morning one of the precious women would bring me a special smoothie before breakfast. It relaxed me and gave me energy for the morning. Avocados have received a bad "rap" because of the fat content. However,health benefits outweigh the fat content.

Why are avocados good for you?
1.One avocado is filled with 30% more potassium than a banana.
2.One avocado provides 30% of the needed daily dosage of folate. This makes them especially good for pregnant women.
3.It is a seratonin food. They will boost your mood. Because they contain monosaturated fats, they help keep receptors in the brain sensitive to seratonin.
4.They help lower blood pressure.
5. They are loaded with good fats that boost your good cholesterol and help clean arteries.

In moderation, avocados have many benefits. Here is a simple recipe for women. Treat yourself and relax.

Avocado Smoothie

1/2 avocado
2 cups lowfat milk
2-3 tablespoons honey to taste

Makes about 2 servings.

Blend together until creamy. Pour into a tall chilled glass. Sit in your favorite chair or enjoy as a "pick me up" while you are preparing lunch.

Smoothie Night

About once a week, our 14 year old son, Kerry, will create smoothies as a family treat. You can get as creative as you would like. These are less expensive than a night out for ice cream .However we still take the kids out periodically for Dairy Queen Sundays or cones.

Kerry's Strawberry Smoothie

1/2 lb of frozen strawberries
1 cup ice
1 to 1 1/2 cup of plain yogurt
1 cup of apple juice or Welches Cherry Burst Juice
1 cup sugar or 1/2 cup honey
1/2 to 1 cup lowfat milk

Add ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. Add more milk or juice if needed.

Add graham crackers or Teddy Grahams for a yummy crunch.