Homeschooling4Christ

Footprints Diary

2010-01-26T07:47:00.008+10:30

Well, praise God my new blog is now up and running, and I hope that you will continue to read my blog posts there.

The last couple of weeks have been extremely hectic, as we had our friend, Gwenda, sick when she arrived to stay with us, but became very ill during her stay, and was hospitalised on her return to Tumby Bay. My mum was also admitted to hospital in Adelaide, but she is also now home. Ironically, they both had chest infections, secondary to viral illnesses.

In between nursing a sick friend, visits to doctors, phone calls to hospitals and visiting my mum in hospital, the last couple of weeks have become just a blur.

I would also like to thank the people who were concerned for me. It means a lot to me to know that I have friends who really care, and I do thank you from the bottom of my ♥. I would also like to thank you for following my ramblings, which I hope are always honouring to God.

Praise God that His presence kept me going, and that my new blog, Footprints Diary is now operational. My son made this new blog for me for my birthday, and I thank him, too, for all of the hard work that he has done in getting my new blog up and running. He has done an excellent job of designing and coding this website! ☺

Please join me there, where I intend to chronicle my walk, as a Christian, a hobby farmer and a homeschooling Mum with our one true and very great God!

A Fruitful Day's Labour

2010-01-13T22:13:00.004+10:30

Today was an absolutely delightful day - we spent the day making necklaces and bracelets while our friend, Gwenda spent the majority of the day card-making. Later on this afternoon she also took my daughter for a short walk, and when they arrived home, they spent the rest of the afternoon doing crossword puzzles and other assorted puzzles, such as word searches.

Gwenda has been and continues to be a real treasure to our family, and we praise God for her friendship. Gwenda is one of the very few people who I see Jesus mirrored in, and she works so hard for everybody else that it's wonderful to be able to give her a holiday where she doesn't have to do anything - no cooking, no dishes, no washing or ironing and no cleaning. She is just here to rest and recuperate and have fellowship with us.

Sometimes serving God can mean just providing a place where a servant of God can unwind with friends, and she's no trouble at all to have here. The Bible verse below describes our friend, Gwenda to a tee, and we love her with all our ♥.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.

2 Timothy 2: 24

Today's Challenge - A Labour of Love

2010-01-12T17:46:00.003+10:30

Today's challenge has been to help my daughter sort her seed beads, as the lids came off when she dropped them. It took us about two hours to sort all of the different colours, but she is so happy that they are once again sorted. Methinks that I need to buy her some more containers with screw-top lids, so that we don't have to do that again. We used tweezers to pick up the individual colours, and I guess that you could call it a labour of love.

At the moment, we have a very dear friend, Gwenda staying with us from Tumby Bay, and she is a real pearl in God's kingdom. This afternoon while my daughter and I were sorting beads, Gwenda was making greeting cards, and she finishes them to perfection - they are absolutely beautiful.

During the next week, it will be pretty hit and miss as to whether I actually get my blog posts done, but I'll be here when I can get the time to post. Gwenda usually looks after her aunty and goes to Jolly Days, where she helps out, and is a real asset to the district of Tumby Bay. We shall enjoy the time that we have together, 'cause we love her LOTS!

One Word Comment

2010-01-10T12:27:00.001+10:30

From Therese:

Leave a ONE word comment that you think best describes me. It can only be one word. No more than one word. Then copy & paste this post on your blog so I can leave a word about you.

Praise God for...

2010-01-10T10:18:00.007+10:30

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 107: 1-8

sending His precious Son to die for my sins and the sins of this world. May I always strive to walk worthy of Him, seeking His face and drawing into a closer and more personal relationship with Him.

friends - real-life friends, blogging friends and internet friends who bless and encourage us in our walk with the one true God. We had friends from church here for a BBQ yesterday, and we talked about God and His Word, we swam and had lovely fellowship one with another.

my husband, who works hard for this family, making sure that everything that needs to be done is done, and done to the glory of God.

our children - may God bless them mightily in their chosen walk with Him.

homeschooling and the ability to be able to homeschool openly - we are so blessed in Australia. In many countries it is illegal to homeschool and the authorities take a harsh stand on those who are caught. In Germany it is illegal to homeschool, so I urge you, please pray that Germany's homeschoolers will one day have the ability to be able to homeschool openly. In Sweden, Dominic Johannson was snatched from his parents, Annie and Christer, as they sat quietly waiting for their plane to take them to their new home in India, so that Annie could be near her family. There is a petition to have Dominic returned to his parents, and I urge you to sign it.

our home - it is such a blessing, especially during the hot weather that we are having. Yesterday was over 44C, today will probably be just as hot, tomorrow the same, but Tuesday it is supposed to be back into the low 30's, and on Wednesday it is supposed to be 25C.

air conditioning and swimming pools so that we can escape the summer heat. The pool yesterday was 27C, and that was just a beautiful contrast to the heat outside.

trees - large, shade-giving trees that drop the outside temperature by more than a few degrees, and without them it would be like living in the Sahara Desert. Our home has more than its fair share of large shade trees, and it is wonderful to have the protection that our Creator God gave us.

New Blog Coming VERY Soon

2010-01-09T21:42:00.002+10:30

I'm working on my new blog ... coming soon! Can you tell that I'm happy - see, smiling? :D

Gardening - Thriving and Growing

2010-01-08T21:32:00.004+10:30

Since arriving here almost seven years ago, we have been severely challenged gardening wise.The soil here is heavy clay, and for the first couple of years we struggled, having plants continually die after we seemingly cared well for them, watering them weekly and fertilising them.

This last year, we have been taking the unusual step of removing the heavy clay soil from around the planting area and replacing it with potting mix, and yes, it really worked. It might seem a bit drastic, but when you keep losing plants, it can become really expensive and VERY frustrating.

ALL of the plants that we have planted using this method are thriving and growing really well. The difference - only the soil that they are growing in - just like us, if we are planted in the good soil - reading and acknowledging God's Word and praying, we will thrive and grow and bear much fruit.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mark 4: 20

This Time

2010-01-07T18:27:00.003+10:30

These song lyrics have been speaking to me lately. God gives us one life, and only one life to be all that God wants us to be - there is no turning back, no second chances. This time is what counts, it's what life is all about and there can be no regrets. However, God reminds us that we are not on our own, and that He never leaves us alone [Hebrews 13:5].

THIS TIME

The past is behind us, what has been now is gone
But right now is with us, and we must carry on
And when regret closes in
I don't see what might have been
I see grace and I know whatever comes
He'll make a way

This time
This is what counts
This is what our life is about
This time
No backwards glance
Now is the time
This is our chance to make this time, this time, this time
All that God wants it to be

Our sins lie behind us, all the weeds we have sown
How well they remind us, what we are on our own
But we are not on our own
God never leaves us alone
All our sins are forgiven
Everyday we get to choose

This time
This is what counts
This is what our life is about
This time
No backwards glance
Now is the time
This is our chance to make this time,
this time, this time
All that God wants it to be

Music by David Meece
Copyright 1989 Meece Music (admin by) WORD Music & Ariose Music

What have I been up To?

2010-01-06T15:59:00.004+10:30

What have I been up to? Well, in the last twenty-four hours I have signed up to Aussie Homeschool, which is run by a board of moderators, but owned by Susan of Home Grown Kids, who is also a moderator.

Aussie Homeschool is a FREE online community for all homeschoolers - enquiring, potential, current or past, and is open to all homeschoolers from every state. There are endless opportunities to share with like-minded people, to buy and sell resources, and for laughter and encouragement. Need to know something about homeschooling - the members have a wealth of knowledge that they're more than willing to share.

There is a blogroll for all Aussie Homeschoolers, and they have lots of helpful links to homeschooling resources, so why not pop on over and introduce yourself - they're a mighty friendly bunch of people, and they're sure to make you feel most welcome.

Sisters in Faith Award

2010-01-05T17:11:00.007+10:30

Therese, from The Musings of a Mom has very kindly bestowed this Sisters in Faith award upon me, and I truly do thank her from the bottom of my ♥. Her friendship and encouragement have been very much appreciated, and her faith is truly inspirational, but seeing that she has already received the award, I felt that it would be superfluous of me to give this award to her. The originator of this award is Karinann, so please pop over and check out her blog.

This blog award is passed on to other bloggers who you feel are represented by the Sisters in Faith Award, and the instructions are:

To pass this award on to sisters who have been blogging with me from almost the beginning.
Include at least one new Sister In Faith.

So, in the spirit of friendship I would like to nominate...

Ganeida from Ganeida's Knots
Sue from Praise and Coffee
Susan from Home Grown Kids
Aliadelaide from Homeschooling Downunder
Devildogwife from Marine Corps Nomads
Gae from Cherished ♥♥♥ at Home
Ruby from Mumma's Place
Jeanne from A Peaceful Day
Sarah from Eternity in Your ♥
Therese from Aussie Coffee Shop

...for their encouragement, their ability to write thought-provoking comments and posts, so that I look inside myself to see what Jesus sees, and their genuine friendship. However, my list wouldn't be complete without adding one last, but not so least friend - this is my new Sister in Faith:~

Singingmama from Beautiful Melodies

Frugal Living

2010-01-05T16:00:00.003+10:30

This afternoon my husband cut my hair - now don't think that I'm brave, for the first time that he cut it, I was terrified, but then I thought, "Oh well, the worst that can happen is that I need to get it cut professionally."

Where we live, a haircut can cost as much as $26.00, and for the amount of time that it takes to simply cut my hair across the back, it's really not worth it. I cut my own fringe, and my husband takes care of the back of it. Today was only the second time that he's cut my hair, and this time I wasn't scared at all.

I cut my daughter's, son's and husband's hair, and it was only through careful watching of the hairdresser cutting their hair that I learned how to cut their hair. Home haircuts save us about $100.00 a month, and I can put that money to better use than by giving it to the hairdressers. Call us frugal if you like, but money doesn't grow on trees, and God expects us to be good stewards of what we have.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24: 45, 46

Change Your Thinking

2010-01-04T11:46:00.005+10:30

My friend, Janice emailed this to me this morning, and this was simply too beautiful to keep to myself - I simply had to share it. I count my blessings each and every day, and I praise God for all that He is and all that He gives.

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. <>

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take

the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window

beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared,

is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift from God, that is why it is called ' The Present.'

Bible Reading Plan for 2010

2010-01-03T16:10:00.003+10:30

Today I was reading my blogging friends posts through Google Reader when I noticed Richele's post about reading the Bible through in a year, so this started me thinking, and I have decided to adopt the "Read the Bible Through Chronologically in a Year" programme from The One Year Bible Online. This is something that I have been wanting to do for a very long time. We have completed this plan as a family, but I really want to do this again.

Isn't it wonderful how blogging friends can encourage and support us in our walk with God? Thank you, Richele for your encouraging post, and may the Lord bless your Bible reading plan, too.

I am praying that God will help keep me on track with my Bible reading, and that He will open my ♥ and my mind to His Word. What about you - what are you doing for Bible study during 2010?

What Amazing Things You See at Night

2010-01-03T14:54:00.005+10:30

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Suborder: Araneomorphae
Superfamily: Araneoidea
Family: Araneidae
Genus: Eriophora

Isn't it amazing what you see at night, especially if you go looking? My son went into the garden and photographed this Orb Weaver Spider's web - isn't he/she beautiful? This spider has made its home among the leeks, which are flowering at the moment.

Orb Weaver Spiders are incredible, for they build large, suspended wheel shaped webs that they take down in the morning and re-build every night. To think that God created Orb Weaver spiders Ex Nihilo (out of nothing) is something that continues to amaze and astound me. The ability that He placed within them to spin the silk for the web is incredible. Have you ever taken the time to watch a spider spin its web? It is a wonderful science experiment - go ahead and try it sometime.

God's creation is absolutely spectacular, and I never cease to be amazed at the wonder, beauty and perplexity of it, and I praise His name.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:6

Praise God for...

2010-01-03T14:15:00.005+10:30

...His everlasting protection and granted travelling mercies yesterday, as we drove to Adelaide to visit our friend, Janice and her household companions. Ann-Marie and her children were also there, as Ann-Marie's father is very sick in hospital.

...my husband's consideration, kindness and love for our family.

...our children, who have helped without any thought of remuneration these holidays. To quote Ruby, they have "Just done it".

...friends - real life friends, blogging friends and internet friends who help us to grow in the Lord, and whose friendship is valued far above rubies.

...God's world and the beauty that is within it - the absolutely perfect weather, the trees that give such beautiful dappled shade and the wealth of flora and faunal life.

...our home, where we are safe from the outside elements, snug and warm in our beds at night and able to relax during the school holidays.

...school holidays, and the ability to relax and recharge our batteries, so to speak.

...God is our God, able to save and to keep all from harm, who heals the broken in ♥ and binds up their wounds, and that He continues to guide and protect us.

Care to see more Praise posts, head on over to Jennifer's at My Chocolate ♥.

A Proverbs 31 Woman

2010-01-01T17:52:00.007+10:30

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:10- 30

Today we had a productive start to the new year, with my husband and me making the new door curtain. This door makes our lounge room feel more homey and cosy, and the curtain that we had spare has now become three - now isn't that frugal???

I love making our home a more beautiful place for our family to live in, and am not happy when I am sitting around idle. God designed us for a purpose, which is to be a helpmeet for our husband, and to have our husband rule over us. Does this mean that we need to be a doormat for our husband - most definitely not, but it means (to me) that our husbands are to be revered and that they make the final decisions in all things.

A Proverbs 31 woman is:

a good housewife
a prudent manager
chaste and modest
law of love and kindness is written upon her ♥ and shows itself in the tongue
dutiful to her husband
is intent upon giving
conscientious in her duty to God
fears the Lord

Wisdom and beauty are fleeting, and many a man has been charmed by the beauty of a woman, but the character traits listed above make the woman more precious than rubies. The beauty that reigns within the soul and will last forever is what sets apart a Proverbs 31 woman; the ability to bear the disappointments and life's challenges are one of her hallmarks.

Am I that Proverbs 31 woman - not even close, but I'm working towards it - little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little, as God changes me day by day into His glorious likeness, and I look forward to the day when God will consider me His worthy servant.

2010 - A Year of New Beginnings

2009-12-31T20:19:00.006+10:30

This last year has been a year of change, good change, though. At the beginning of this year, we changed to the ACE curriculum through the Australian Christian College, and it has proved to be an absolute blessing to each and every one of us.

Change doesn't come easy to me, and the change from Weaver to ACC has been one that we didn't make lightly - changes to our children's curriculum are only made after quiet prayer and contemplation, as it is so important to discern God's will for our children.

2009 has seen our son take striding leaps ahead, as he now works toward his Academic year 12 certificate, while our daughter, who is only 12, is moving toward her year 10 Academic certificate in 2010. Up 'til this point they were studying together, so 2010 will be a year of new beginnings, so to speak.

Normally I don't make a New Year's resolution, but after reading Susan's blog, I have decided to make one this year, and it is:~

to spend more time in Bible reading, prayer and quiet meditation on God's Word

AND

to give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5: 17, 18

May 2010 be a year of wonderful blessings for you as you walk closely with the Lord, knowing what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

It Appears that We are not Quite Finished - Yet

2009-12-30T13:01:00.004+10:30

Well, it appears that with us making the curtain for the door window yesterday inspired my husband to swap the doors over, so that the leadlight door is now in the loungeroom, and we have a view out of our loungeroom, across the valley - hooray.

There was a method in what he was doing, though. The leadlight door has a lock and key, so that will keep me safe and secure during my sleepwalking episodes. How's that for love and devotion?

We thought that the doors were interchangeable, but the door in my daughter's bedroom is about five millimetres larger, so my husband now has to plane that one in order to make it fit - just as well he loves me!

After lunch, he is going into town to buy the putty to fix the leadlight door properly, some hooks and pencil pleating tape for the curtains for the door and the rod to hang the curtains on - I'm so excited - our home is coming together. Then, let the work begin... again!

When it is all finished, I will post a photo. Praise God for husbands who just love to work!

Post Script ~ My husband says that school starts in fifteen minutes - holidays are finished!

It is Finished

2009-12-29T16:13:00.007+10:30

Today has been a day of "Just doing it", to quote my friend, Ruby. This morning my husband and I took down the rest of the curtains and finished washing them and also completed washing the rest of the windows.

But we weren't content to stop there - the lounge room door has a small window above the door (photo on right), and during the winter it is so very cold here (down to -8°C) that we have had a piece of blind tacked up to keep the bitterly cold winter out.

When we purchased our curtains (at an op-shop, of course), there were three curtains which works perfectly for us, as we need two for the large window, and we have cut the other curtain to make two more - one above the door, and one to go onto the leadlight door to create a privacy screen at night time. The leadlight door that belongs here is currently in my daughter's bedroom, but eventually, after painting, it will make its home where the frosted door is now. The advantage of having the leadlight door is that it has a clear glass panel, and we can take advantage of the spectacular view from our loungeroom.

I'm not used to finishing the "~~spring~~ summer cleaning" so early, but thanks to Ruby, who has adopted the motto, "Just do it", we just did it, and it is finished. Praise God for friends who inspire us to do our best!

Praise God for Faithful and Loving Friends

2009-12-28T17:16:00.004+10:30

Praise God for faithful friends, who know what you need, and know exactly where to find it. Our friend, Janice, took us to one of her favourite op-shops while we were visiting with her the other day, and we found just what we were needing - a new quilt cover set for the guest bedroom (left), a delightful rose patterned quilt cover set for our bedroom (right), a new pair of trousers for my husband, a pair of jeans for my son and a blouse and three new nighties for my daughter. We had been using a quilt cover for the guest bedroom from our very first home, back in 1990, and it was becoming very threadbare, but now our guests will have the finest of bedlinen.

We also found a book that has been on my "wanted" list for a very long time - We of the Never Never by Mrs Aeneas Gunn, and some other treasures, too - Station Life in Australia Pioneers and Pastoralists by Peter Taylor and A Treasury of Favourite Australian Poems by Lloyd O'Neill. These should keep my daughter reading for a little while. These books truly are "Living books".

Isn't it incredible how God uses people to fulfil His purposes on this earth? Our friend, Janice is a wonderful example of a Christian who makes herself available for God's purposes, and we love her with all our ♥.

Welcome to Christmas Day at our Home

2009-12-27T16:10:00.008+10:30

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

He ... spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. - Having yet ... one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him.

Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! - Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

2 Corinthians 9:15; Psalm 100: 1, 2, 4; Isaiah 9: 6-7; Romans 8:32; Mark 12:6; Psalm 107:21; Psalm 103:1; Luke 1:46-47

Daily Light from The Bible

ooOOO~OOOoo

Christmas day in our home was spent celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and reflecting on what His birth means to us. It is a day when we remember:

His birth
His suffering
His death on the cross at Calvary
the hope that He gave to one of the thieves - the hope of eternal life, the same hope of eternal life that He gives to us
His resurrection
that He constantly intercedes with God on our behalf
that He went to prepare a heavenly home for us
the hope of His future return when we will reign with Him

ooOOO~OOOoo

Our Christmas day was spent thinking on all these things; we read Scripture, prayed, praised God for His provision over us, exchanged gifts, and in the afternoon watched an excellent sermon on The God Channel about the Paradoxes of Christmas. In the Paradoxes of Christmas, Dr Youssef shares that Christmas teaches us:

We should not judge an end by its beginning, because the babe in the manger will one day return in full glory..

We should not judge things by their appearance because God hid His greatest gift in a humble package.

We should make room in our ♥♥♥ for others, so that we can find room for Jesus. By reaching out and witnessing to those who need to hear about Jesus, we can experience Christ even more fully.

Christmas, in our home, is all about reminiscing over what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ accomplished for us, and the sacrifice that our Father God made in order to restore fellowship with Him.

For some people, the only Christ that they see is the Christ that they see mirrored in us. How did you celebrate Christmas?

Praise...

2009-12-27T15:17:00.003+10:30

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1

Our Father God, we do praise you for...

...the gift of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a baby, was bruised for our iniquities, suffered and died on the cross of Calvary, was resurrected, and now lives on the right hand of God, but still intercedes on our behalf.

...a wonderful day yesterday, when we travelled to Adelaide to have a Christmas celebration with friends - the day was absolutely perfect, not too hot, not too cold, and there were many people with whom we could celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

...Janice, whom the Lord uses mightily in His service. When I look at Janice, I see Jesus mirrored in her. Her home is almost like a halfway house for anyone who needs accommodation, and she never turns anyone away, providing a listening ear, food for the stomach and for the soul.

...granted travelling mercies - we had a wonderful and safe journey to Adelaide, yesterday, and we found an easy way of getting to Janice's that shaved almost half an hour off our trip.

...my husband, who quietly works in the background, never expecting anything for the work that he does.

...our children, who had a delightful time playing with the children yesterday, and who quietly get their work done.

...goats - goats who provide milk and meat for us, enabling us to make butter and cheese.

...His constant provision over us - May we always be thankful, remembering how much He has actually done for us and how much he continues to do for us each and every day.

Tim Tam Balls

2009-12-24T22:32:00.003+10:30

Tonight my son and I made Tim Tam Balls, courtesy of Gae from Cherished ♥♥♥ at Home - thank you, Gae.

We had a wonderful time making these, and my son licked out the bowl with fervent vigour. My daughter loved cleaning up the excess sprinkles and my husband cleaned out the condensed milk tin - he said that it brought back memories of his childhood, visiting his grandpa and eating full tins of the stuff. Me, well I'm just happy to make them for everyone else, and maybe I might have one or two tomorrow. Some of these are going for gifts, so they're not all for us, although they do sound delightful.

Well, what else would we be doing on Christmas eve? Tomorrow we will be singing and praising our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, remembering the reason why He came to be born. Kylie from Blog, Blog, Blog has written a beautiful post about Silent Night, and how the Lord was sovereign at His birth, how He is still Lord, now; and how He can be Lord of your life, too.

It's Beginning to feel a lot like...

2009-12-24T19:02:00.005+10:30

...Christmas

Our children have been having the time of their lives today, rediscovering Christmas' past, and have decorated our home with tinsel, found the candles and table centre and have really enjoyed making this a special time of year, when we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The centrepiece of our table has special significance for us, as it reminds us of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and also reminds us that we are to be a light to the world, and a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid.

The nativity scene usually goes on a Christmas tree, and was given to us by a very special friend from Tumby Bay when our children were very small. We have decided not to erect the Christmas tree because the cats would find it absolutely irresistible - maybe next year???

We went grocery shopping today, and bought some extra special gifts for our friend in Adelaide, and my daughter and I still have to make some Tim Tam Balls to add to her gift. The turkey roll is cooked, and the lamb roast is merrily cooking away "as we speak". Everything is nearly ready for the day of celebration...

Thank you for your support, conversations and friendship over the last twelve months, and...

May the Lord grant you a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Goats, Molasses and Cider Vinegar

2009-12-23T16:43:00.006+10:30

I wonder how many heads you can actually fit into a container of molasses and Apple Cider vinegar. Our goats absolutely love molassses and Apple Cider vinegar, and it is like a vitamin supplement for them. It also keeps their teats soft. We buy the molasses from the local stock agent in a 20 litre container. In this photo, there are four goats with their heads crammed into the container, and they lick every drop out of the bowl.

The molasses and Apple cider vinegar are mixed in the ratio of:
1 cup molasses
1 cup Apple cider vinegar
15 litres of water

Do you get the idea that my husband spoils the goats - nah, never. There is only one of our goats that won't drink this, and that is Priscilla - she just stands back and lets all of the other goats fight over it - clever girl, Prissy!

Shortbread

2009-12-23T14:14:00.010+10:30

Gae from Cherished ♥♥♥ at Home published an easy recipe for Shortbread, so this afternoon my daughter and I prepared and baked it. This recipe is really easy, and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed licking the bowl clean after we had finished spooning the mixture into the pan.

The next recipe that we are going to tackle is Tim Tam Balls, also from Gae - thank you, Gae, but this one will have to wait until we go shopping. It's lucky that this is a really quick recipe to prepare. This is the limit of our Christmas baking, as we normally buy a Lions Christmas Cake.

Some of this Shortbread will be given to friends of ours, as a part of their Christmas present. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about? - for it is better to give than to receive.

JESUS - The Reason for Celebration

2009-12-23T10:50:00.005+10:30

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1

~JESUS is my Hope~

Hope of serving the Lord in heaven

the Hope of our Lord and Saviour returning to earth

AND

the Hope of a New Heaven and a New Earth

This is what our Christmas is all about - the Hope in our Saviour, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us forever praise His name!

My Source of Comfort

2009-12-22T16:32:00.008+10:30

Praise God for keeping me safe, even during the night watch when my brain refuses to switch off, and I go sleepwalking. In our home, the cellar is below the guest bedroom (The Loft), and when you open the door, the steps are right inside, and I mean just inside the door, as you can see from the photos.

Last night I dreamed that I was in a strange house and was trying to find the toilet, but each time I nearly reached it, there was a flash of light and it disappeared. Apparently I opened the cellar door, knocking the washing trolley right down to the bottom - praise God that it wasn't me. My husband put the washing trolley in front of the door, knowing that I sleepwalk, in the hope of preventing me from ending up down in the depths of the cellar, or, at the very least it would waken him.

Well, next thing that I know, my husband is picking me up from the third step down in the cellar room, and he escorted me to the REAL toilet. Apart from some bruising to the backs of my legs and a very sore back, I am alright, and I really do praise God for watching over me and keeping me safe.

My husband is going to modify the lock on the cellar door, so that it can be kept locked from now on, but I know that God has His hand on me, and that He is my source of comfort.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

What's for Dinner at our Home?

2009-12-21T18:25:00.007+10:30

What's for dinner at our home tonight? Well, it's holidays, and our son is preparing dinner for us - farm-fresh roast chicken and roast vegetables, followed by Banana Cake, custard and ice-Cream. My son has created the stuffing for the chicken all by himself, and the chicken is basted with oil and a little lemon juice. Oh, it smells so delightful, up here in the school room.

I challenged him this afternoon as to whether he is going to take it up for a living, but he said, "No, I'm too slow, and I don't work well under pressure." I think that he's done an excellent job, but as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, or as in this case, the Roast Chicken and the Banana Cake. Praise God for willing helpers, and that our son loves cooking!

According to Ussher

2009-12-21T16:16:00.008+10:30

Abbreviations Used in Ussher's:~

AM - Years of the world from Creation
JP - Julian Year starting at January 1, 4713BC

After the year denoted by AM, one of four letters may be affixed

a - autumn
b - winter
c - spring
d - summer

4000a AM, 4709 JP, 5 BC

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the most blessed virgin Mary at Bethlehem in the fullness of time. Matthew 1:25; 2: 1,5 Gal. 4:4 Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. Luke 2:7

The birth of our Saviour was revealed by an angel of the Lord to shepherds who were waching their flocks by night in the neighbouring fields. They heard the words of a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to men". The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. They told everyone what they had heard concerning the child and came back praising and glorifying God. Luke 2: 8-20

4000b AM, 4710 JP, 4 BC

The child was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth and was given the name Jesus, as had been foretold by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:21

The wise men from the east were guided by a star and came to Herod at Jerusalem. When they were told that the birthplace of Christ was in Bethlehem of Judea, they went there and entered the house which was shown to them by the star that stood over it. They found the little child with his mother, Mary. They fell down and worshipped him and gave him their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, and so they departed into their own country by another way. Matthew 2: 1-12

On the fortieth day after her delivery, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to the temple, to present the child to the Lord according to the law of the firstborn. She offered a pair of turtle doves for herself, or two young pigeons, for she could not afford to offer a lamb. This was according to the Levitical law. Luke 2: 22-24, 27; Leviticus 12: 2-4, 6, 8

According to Ussher's, when the wise men presented their gifts to the infant Jesus, Jesus was between eight and forty days old; Jesus was born in the autumn.

The Annals of the World, James Ussher, 6059-6063
James Ussher's Classic Survey of World History

The Touch of the Masters Hand

2009-12-21T12:59:00.009+10:30

The Touch of the Masters Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile;
"What am I bidden, good folk?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar - one dollar - two, only two -
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Going for three" - but no -
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a carolling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "Now, what am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand once - three thousand twice -
and going - and gone," cried he!
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand;
What changed its worth?" Quick came the reply,
"The touch of the Master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin;
A mess of pottage - a glass of wine,
A game - and he travels on;
He's going once - and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.

Myra Brooks Welch

This poem is one that we had for LLATL, and my daughter has managed to remember it word for word. I love this poem, and how true it is, for the change that's been wrought in many people by "The touch of the Master's hand" is nothing short of a miracle.

Scripture Cake

2009-12-20T11:15:00.004+10:30

Above is my trusty, very old Green and Gold Cookbook, twenty sixth edition, that my mum received when she was first married. It cost 10/6, which would have been 10 shillings and sixpence, and it was purchased from the Beck Book Co. Ltd, New and Secondhand Bookseller, 17-19 Pulteney Street, Adelaide. It is a little the worse for wear, but it has been used constantly for over half a century, and has some of the best tried and true recipes in it, one of which is: ~

Scripture Cake

Four and a half cups 1 Kings, iv chapter, 22nd verse
one and a half cups Judges, v chapter, 25th verse, last clause
two cups Jeremiah, vi chapter, 20th verse
two cups 1 Samuel, xxx chapter, 12th verse,
one cup Numbers, xvii chapter, 8th verse
half cup Judges iv chapter, 19th verse
two tablespons 1 Samuel xiv chapter, 25th verse
six eggs, Jeremiah xvii chapter, 11th verse
two tablespoons Amos iv chapter, 5th verse
pinch of salt Leviticus ii chapter, 13th verse
spice to taste 1 Kings x chapter, 10th verse

Follow Solomon's rule for making a good boy, and you will have an excellent cake: Proverbs xxiii, chapter, verses 1 to 14.

-A.C., Georgetown - Green and Gold Cookbook

Praise for this Week

2009-12-20T09:40:00.007+10:30

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

Praise our Heavenly Father for...

...His everlasting provision over us - for sending His Son to die in our place for our sins, for the food that He places on the table, for travelling mercies granted and for answered prayer.

...helpful, willing hands that simply get the job done. Our children have been a wonderful help with cleaning out the cupboards and reclaiming our home as our own once again. This time of year is a time when we have our "spring clean", and then everybody can relax and enjoy the holidays.

...my husband, who also spent time yesterday making our home a nicer place to live, and for all the things that he does for us that go largely unnoticed.

...my son's new computer and Wacom Intuos4 graphics tablet, which will hopefully make it easier for him to complete his graphic design work.

...friends - blogging friends, internet friends and IRL friends who make this place a delighful place in which to live - for my friend, Janice, who makes us feel special.

...our cats, who keep our home free from vermin, especially rats and mice, but we also have a cat, Moonlight, who tackles rabbits and snakes, too.

...our home - comfy beds where we can snuggle up on these cold summer nights, a roof over our heads to keep us dry and protect us from the harsh summer sun and a place that welcomes us when we return from long journeys to Adelaide.

...the ability to homeschool openly - there are many people who don't have this ability, and who must homeschool "underground", such as the German homeschoolers, and now it appears that Sweden is also changing its homeschooling protocol. In the United Kingdom, it appears that criminal background checks will be introduced, further eroding the rights of the homeschooling parent. Please pray for homeschoolers worldwide that they might have the freedom to be able to homeschool openly.

...I am encouraged to think about why I praise my Heavenly Father. For more praises, or to add your own praises, head on over to Jennifer's.

Coal Miner's Daughter?

2009-12-19T20:59:00.005+10:30

Today we have been flat out cleaning out cupboards and washing all of the crockery, cutlery and plastic ware before replacing it all in the sparkling clean cupboards. I washed the dishes while our children dried all of the dishes without murmurings and disputings (Philippians 2: 14-15). These days I also look for complete, quiet and quick obedience from our children, and today they were very keen to obey. My husband also cleaned the sunroom windows near the lounge room.

Following this, my daughter and I cleaned and washed the silver service cutlery set that my mum gave us a couple of months ago. What a messy job that was, even though we used the silver polishing cloth included with the cutlery set! By the end of the time, I looked like a 'Coal Miner's Daughter', or maybe that should have been a coal miner.

My son also cleaned out the laundry sink cupboard, and my daughter was happy to replace all of the toiletries in the bathroom vanity unit after we had cleaned this cupboard out. My son and daughter also cleaned out the medicine cupboard, and it was lovely to see them work together in an attitude of harmony and cooperation.

My husband even shifted our leadlight cupboard and cleaned behind it because it seemed too good an opportunity to miss, with the cupboard being empty. I love to tackle all of the difficult jobs at the beginning of the school holidays, and that way I feel as if I can rElAx. Praise God for willing helpers! Now, what can we line up for Monday - a chiropractor visit, if we're not careful???

What About Christmas Gifts?

2009-12-18T22:48:00.007+10:30

Christmas is all about thinking of others first, and God set the precedent for gift-giving when He gave His very own Son, a living sacrifice for the sins of the world. He came to be born, to dwell among us and to die, a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins, to be resurrected and to finally take His place with God, the Father in Heaven. We have hope in life eternal because of this precious gift.

Then, there were the Magi who came when Jesus was a young child, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

AND

The gift of the Holy Spirit ~ For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Romans 1:11

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:7

In the Spirit of Christmas giving this year, we have given to The Voice of the Martyrs, Australia, for the children of the persecuted church in Colombia who, without this gift would have had no Christmas at all. Their Mothers and Fathers have been martyred for the cause of preaching the gospel, and some of the children have been taken in by their aunts and uncles. We felt that this was such a worthy cause that we donated to it.

Do I say this so that you can see what good people we are - no, I just thought that there might still be time, for people who felt so inclined, to give to this worthwhile cause.

Each gift pack includes:

a school pack (includes notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, erasers and a box of colouring pencils)
toiletries kit (includes tooth brush, tooth paste, soap)
He Lived Among Us Gospel booklet
T-shirt with a Christian message
food
a toy
and a carry bag.

Each pack costs only $20.00, but for a child in Colombia, it will make the world of difference. What price the smile of a child?

Your Life is Jesus to Someone

2009-12-18T21:58:00.002+10:30

YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
Though tattered and torn it may be.
Though often times weak and unstable,
You're all of God someone will see.

YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word,
Reflects to at least one searching heart,
An idle, insensitive Lord.

YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
Are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS is Jesus to someone.
Their judgement of how God is true,
Rests unquestionably in the faithfulness
They see day by day in you.

YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone.
That someone who is seeking to know,
That Jesus will follow and guide and,
Befriend wherever in life they might go.

SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme,
God by what you say or do,
For the only Jesus that someone knows,
Is the Jesus they see in you.

'Tis Supposed to be Summer

2009-12-17T19:02:00.006+10:30

I thought that this was supposed to be summer??? Today it has been back to winter weather, with everybody rugged up in jumpers again. Mind you, I'm not grumbling - I LOVE the cooler weather. The photo (above left) was taken facing west, and the one on the right was taken facing east from our driveway.

I love the change in seasons - I love the soft caramel of stubble in the fields - I love the harsh contrast between the lush green paddocks of winter and the dry and parched landscape of summer. God created seasons for a reason, and in Genesis 8:22, He says, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."

God also tells us, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." I praise God for every good and perfect gift that comes down from the Father of Lights, in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning; I give thanks for the rain that He has so generously sent us, and the cooler weather after the 40°C days.

The Fourteen Days of Homeschooling (sung to The Twelve Days of Christmas)

2009-12-16T14:46:00.006+10:30

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE! what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they’re missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE! what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialised, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, we don't like the prom, we do it 'cos we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialised, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!"

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, we'll join a sports team, and we'll homeschool legally."

Hannah - A Very Special Little Girl

2009-12-15T21:30:00.004+10:30

The last couple of days have been full of surprises, as Janice and her daughter, Hannah have been holidaying with us. Hannah has been absolutely delightful, and is becoming a beautifully natured young lady who captivates and steals people's ♥♥♥.

This young girl has Down's syndrome. I really don't want to dwell on this because she is far more than that. I really dislike labels, as they don't tell you about the nature or the mental capacity of the individual, but it's important to the story that I'm about to tell.

We first met Janice and Hannah when both Janice and I were breastfeeding, and as the children grew, so did our friendship. Hannah grew and when we were living in Tumby Bay the last time, Hannah was a very strong and very determined little girl. My most vivid memory is of Janice visiting, and Hannah sitting next to our bedroom, holding on to the door handle with me trying (very unsuccessfully) to prise her hands off the door handle, and when I achieved this, she plonked herself down and refused to budge. Do you think that I could move her - not a chance?

This very same little girl is now the young lady who came to visit with us, and she is growing into such a delightful young lady. She can now read fluently, her manners are absolutely impeccable and she has an extraordinary memory.

Today we have played Kelly pool, which is a challenge for most adults to remember what ball they have, but Hannah remembered easily. After several games of Kelly pool, we played Fish, and again her memory came into play, as she reminded us that her dad taught her to play Fish. When I spoke to Janice about this, she remarked that it was many years ago, but yes, her dad definitely did teach her to play Fish.

Next, we played Concentration, where you turn up two cards trying to find pairs, and her memory absolutely astounded me. She won hands down, and my daughter is no slouch at playing this game, either. These skills have been learned, and who taught them - her mum, with the help of a very special team around her. Hannah also attends a Christian school, and you can really see God's hand on her.

The two girls have had a wonderful time this weekend, cuddling the goat kids and spending time with the adult goats, but it has been the time that we have spent together that I have thoroughly enjoyed the most. Hannah is truly a credit to her mum, who has now been clear from cancer for three months, but it can't have been easy for her, having cancer and trying to bring Hannah up in the nurture of the Lord. Praise God that He was there beside her, guiding and comforting her in her times of trial.

I have thoroughly enjoyed re-meeting Hannah, spending time with her and really getting to know her, the real her and not just a name that describes a condition that she has. Hannah - a very special young lady, who is welcome here, anytime, and who has captured our ♥♥♥. Hannah, we love you!

Be Thou My Vision

2009-12-14T23:31:00.004+10:30

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart -
Nought 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.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise -
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart -
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joy, O bright heav'n's Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Trans. by Mary E. Byrne; Versified by Eleanor H. Hull

This would have to be my favourite piece of poetry, hymn and praise song. Its words have such depth of meaning, and it speaks to my ♥.

Today has been such a busy day, and our friend, Janice, and her daughter are here for the next couple of days. We had a wonderful day today catching up, and tomorrow, well who knows what tomorrow will bring. Janice's daughter and my daughter have had such fun with the goat kids, and singing, laughing and watching Smile of a Child on free-to-air Satellite TV. This station is excellent, and you won't find anything of objectionable content on it.

Tonight we had Quiche and salad, followed by Bread and Butter pudding and ice-cream, and it was absolutely delicious. Now, I will bid you all a very good night; see you tomorrow, and may all your dreams come from God.

What has my Daughter been Doing?

2009-12-13T15:25:00.003+10:30

Well, first of all she baked Apple Cinnamon Muffins - recipe here. However, we did change the recipe - instead of all purpose flour (plain flour), we used SR flour and did away with the baking powder, and we grated the apple rather than chopping it finely. They turned out very well.

Next, she made an Apple Cake, which is a recipe from a very dear family friend in Tumby Bay. Her husband says, "It's not really Apple Pie, but it's the next best thing to it."

Apple Cake Recipe

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup sugar
1 cup S.R. flour
1 egg
¾ cup milk
3 or 4 apples peeled and sliced

Method
Cream butter and sugar well together. Add egg and mix well. Add milk and mix well. Add flour and mix well until there are no lumps.

Pour half the batter into a greased cake tin. Layer sliced apples over mixture. Pour remaining batter over apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes.

These recipes are tried and true. I thought that it was supposed to be holidays, but it appears that no matter how hard we try to be on holidays, learning will still occur!

Making Soft Goat Cheese

2009-12-13T14:28:00.005+10:30

At the moment, we have an abundance of goats' milk, so my husband and son decided to have a go at making Goat Cheese.

The recipe that we used comes from here.

It uses 1/2 gallon fresh goats' milk (unpasteurised), the juice of two lemons and sea salt.

Firstly, we heated the milk on medium heat to 185°F. Then we removed it from the heat and stirred in lemon juice, continuing to stir it until the milk has curdled. Next, we added ½ tablespoon coarse salt (kosher salt or sea salt). After this, we strained the milk through cheesecloth. Finally we wrapped the curds in cheesecloth and hung it in the refrigerator to drain overnight.

This soft goat cheese is great on cracker biscuits or added to a salad or pasta.

The nutritional information for soft goat cheese per 1 oz is:

Calories ~ 76
Protein ~ 5.25
Total Fat ~ 5.98g
Carbohydrate ~ .25g
Sugars ~ .25g
Calcium ~ 40 mg
Magnesium ~ 5 mg

Finally, the taste test, and it tastes like a cross between Playdough and car tyres - oh well, back to the drawing board! Meanwhile, I'm still looking for a good recipe for soft goat cheese - one that tastes like cheese.

Praise for this Week

2009-12-13T13:09:00.006+10:30

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2: 9-11

Praise You, our Heavenly Father for...

...keeping our home and family safe during the last week and giving us the knowledge to prevent our computer from catching fire.

...my husband's ability to be "Mr Fixit", and that he actually keeps items to enable him to fix things cheaply.

...my husband, who has been working really hard since we finished homeschooling for the year - does that ever happen, that is finishing homeschooling for the year, as learning continues to happen every day, not just during the "school year".

...our friend, Janice, and her daughter are coming up tomorrow for a couple of days rest and relaxation.

... it is school holidays, giving us the ability to spend more time in fellowship with God and in doing the chores that get somewhat neglected during the school year, and to rest and recharge our minds and bodies.

...His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who came to this earth in the form of God/man, was born, lived a sinless life, was crucified and resurrected - all to save His people from their sins, and to restore our fellowship with God, the Father. What an amazing sacrifice our Heavenly Father made just for us!

... our children, who are becoming very helpful around our home, taking on extra chores so that we all find time to rest these holidays.

... friends - blogging friends, internet friends and IRL friends, whose friendships I value highly, and who help us to become more like Jesus in our walk with Him.

...warmer weather, so that we can spend the time outdoors, closer to God's Creation.

May we, as Christians, unite this Christmas to keep the focus on our Lord and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, showing the world our true Christian spirit, and mirror His love toward all.

My Husband can't wait for us to go Back to School

2009-12-12T16:37:00.002+10:30

Today is the first day of our school holidays, but already my husband can't wait for us to go back to school. So far today, I have had him mowing the lawns, mulching the strawberries, vacuuming and blowing the back area of our home, hanging up curtains that I have washed - lucky that he's tall, isn't it? He has also been watering the lawns and plastering the walls of the house.

Why all the cleaning up?
Well, where we live, this is the time of year for brown snakes, and if the lawns aren't kept mowed, you can't see if there is anything hiding in the grass, and likewise with the back area. There were so many leaves that any snake could have hidden in there easily. Do you get the impression that I don't like snakes? Well, you're definitely right there!

What have I been doing?
Well, my husband said, "Cracking the whip", but I have been busy supervising, making sure that things are done properly. My asthma precludes me from mowing, blowing with the blower-vac or mulching the strawberries with pea straw, but I provide the inspiration while my husband provides the perspiration.

My husband said, "If this is the first day of school holidays, I'll be glad when you go back to school". Well, that was the first day - what is left to do? Well, we still have to clean out the deep freezer, clean the rest of the windows, and there are ten sliding windows just in the sunrooms, as well as the rest of the house that we didn't do today, and then there are the curtains...

Major Meltdown - Well, Nearly!

2009-12-11T19:30:00.004+10:30

This afternoon we had major dramas in our home - my computer was having a meltdown, literally. We had this funny smell in the schoolroom, and we really couldn't find where it was coming from. Was someone spraying outside - highly unlikely, as it is harvest time, not seedtime? Was the smell emanating from the new computer monitors - no, not from there, either.

We escaped down to the kitchen for lunch, and I came back into the schoolroom to open the window and hopefully get rid of the smell of burning plastic when I wondered if it was my computer power supply fan. Sure enough, that's what it was - the case of the computer was that hot that it nearly took the skin off my husband's hands. I thought, "This is a good start to the school holidays", but my husband had the situation well in hand. He disappeared for a short while and came back with another power supply box. Aha, it was from the last time that we had to replace the power supply, but the fan was still good. Oops, I shall never again complain about the stuff that my husband keeps - as he keeps telling me, it will come in useful one day, and he was right, but shhh, don't tell him - he might decide to keep anything and everything, and that would never do.

If you look carefully inside the power supply box, you can see a black piece of plastic (fan) in the back right corner, and that was the culprit for my computer overheating - it just stopped working. My computer is now super fast again, but it had been getting slower and slower. My husband only commented yesterday that my computer was very quiet. Hmmm...if your computer is a Pentium, and it suddenly goes quiet, make sure that your fan is working - it should be blowing cool air out of the back of your computer.

That's not the only thing that he has fixed in the last twenty four hours - he also fixed my daughter's hairclip that she uses in the shower to keep her hair from getting wet. Apparently he kept the last broken one just in case it should come in handy, and in this one the spring holders broke, so he made one out of two.

Praise God for my husband whose name should be "Mr Fixit", 'cause if he can't fix something, it's definitely beyond repair.

Lovely, or Should that be Practical Letterboxes?

2009-12-11T12:07:00.007+10:30

After reading Rhonda's blog, I came up with a brilliant idea. Why not have everybody email in their lovely - ahem, functional letterboxes? Our letterbox is anything but lovely, but it is very practical. Our school books come in a HUGE box that simply wouldn't fit into our previous letterbox, so they used to be just placed beside the letterbox on the ground, and that was quite OK except during the winter months, when we would have to be rather vigilant about being there when the mail arrived (three days a week). It is a three kilometre drive to our mailbox, too.

Homeschooling in the bush entails being very creative with our solutions, and this "letterbox" is just one of those creative solutions - it didn't cost much, but is very practical as all of our books fit into it easily. It is a 200 litre freezer, and the only cost was the catch used to hold it shut. My husband did have to modify it, though, as it used to build up condensation inside it, so he drilled holes into the bottom and sides of it and placed flyscreen over the holes to keep any unwanted visitors out.

If you would like to participate in the Lovely or Practical Letterbox theme, could you please email me a photo of your Lovely Letterbox? The email address for this is: - homeschoolmum4christ(at)designflame(dot)com(dot)au

Come on - what do you say? There must be lots of different letterboxes out there, and it would be interesting to see the variation between country and city homeschoolers, and you don't even need to be a homeschooler to participate.

What Have We Been Doing?

2009-12-11T11:21:00.006+10:30

What have we been doing for the last week of school? Well, the other day we made Christmas cards, but here we have been replacing the mulch around the roses. The previous pea straw had rotted away, so we removed what was left of it and composted it, replacing it with fresh pea straw which my husband mowed to make it finer, so that it was easier to place around the rose bushes. They have grown so much since last year and are looking so much healthier. After mulching them, we misted them with a fine spray of Seasol to help them through the summer.

Then, the next job that we tackled was the pruning of the front garden. Each year we prune back the larger plants so that they don't become straggly and blow apart during the strong winds that we sometimes have in summer.

We spent all day in the garden and achieved much, but there is still more to be done - the grevillea hedge still needs trimming, but today is the end of our school year, so I shall just add it to our ever growing list of chores to be completed over the holidays. Praise God for the flexibility of homeschooling!

You, Me and the Kitchen Sink

2009-12-10T16:21:00.006+10:30

Rhonda from Down to Earth is hosting my kitchen this week on her blog page - thank you, Rhonda.

Rhonda has some delightfully practical home hints on working in the home, vegetable and fruit gardening, slowing down and being mindful, cooking simple food, keeping chickens and worms, composting, green cleaning, stockpiling and preserving..

On her bog, you will find photos of our kitchen, which rather outdated is still perfectly functional, and what I love about it is that it always looks clean.

You will also find a photo of our leadlight cupboard, and that has travelled with us from Laura to Georgetown to Tumby Bay, and to our present location in the mid-north of South Australia.

Even when we update the kitchen, I think that we will keep the kitchen sink; I love the way that stainless steel always looks so clean and shiny. We are planning on updating the cupboard tops and repainting, but I really do like my kitchen - there is well and truly enough space, and it has an old country kitchen feel to it.

What about you? Are you happy with your kitchen, or are you planning on updating? What do you look for in a kitchen - granite cupboard tops or perhaps even timber, and what style of cupboards would you have?

What were my Husband and Son Engaged In Yesterday Afternoon?

2009-12-09T19:32:00.006+10:30

What were my husband and son engaged in yesterday afternoon? Well, it's like this - our solitary sheep had problems with grass seeds, so they decided, in their wisdom to shear her. Now, don't laugh - we do have our own shearing plant, complete with narrow handpiece. Our shearing plant is an ancient (came from Noah's Ark) Coopers with a Mk10 Villiers motor (1HP).

Neither my husband nor my son had ever shorn a sheep before, but it was out of absolute necessity, as the farmers around here are extremely busy with harvest. The delightful little thing kicked my husband and put a 25 mm cut in his thumb. It took them ... (we won't discuss the amount of time it took them) to shear her, but she is certainly a lot more comfortable than she was, although you would never know it by the look of her. Praise God that we can do all things through Him which strengtheneth us!

Who am I?

2009-12-09T08:27:00.002+10:30

Who am I?

I am a Christian first and foremost, but am also a wife of twenty-three years to my husband who is kind, considerate and gentle, spending all of his time making sure that we are well-looked after. We also have two children, whom we are bringing up in the nurture of the Lord.

I was born in Broken Hill, the daughter of a miner, who left Broken Hill to join the South Australian Police Force. I grew up in Adelaide and spent much of my childhood in an oxygen tent in hospital, due to chronic asthma. My nanna spent much of her life taking care of me, and I miss her ever so much. She never had a harsh word to say to me or about me, and I loved her immensely. Eventually I graduated from Muirden Business College, completing year 11. At the time, I didn't see the relevance of studying a commercial course, but God knew what I would need in the future, even though I didn't. Since commencing homeschooling, I have seen the relevance of everything that I have learned.

I find it incredible that for every post of my life, God has gone before me and prepared the way. He has continued to bless us with every aspect of our life - our home life, homeschooling and in our walk with Him.

Our homeschooling journey has been very different to what we thought it would be. Firstly, we started out using an eclectic mix of homeschooling curricula, such as Bob Jones University, A Beka and Rod & Staff. As we became more confident with homeschooling, we progressed to Weaver, and our children absolutely thrived using this curriculum.

At the beginning of this year, we made the change to Australian Christian College, using the PACE system of workbooks, and I have been impressed with the quality and Christian content of the PACE's. Our son is almost finished his year 10 certificate and next year will go on to start work on his year 12 Academic Certificate. Our daughter will continue to study for her year 10 Academic certificate next year.

10 Fun Facts About Me

I ran away from home at eighteen months of age. Where did I run - to the Broken Hill base Hospital.
I used to get so hot on the bus that I took all of my clothes off on the bus when my nanna took me into town. (2 years of age)
I filled my mum's washing machine up with Broken Hill red sand when I could barely walk - yep, the washing was in it, too - do you think I was popular?
I have a strong sense of justice - there are no grey areas, only right and wrong.
I attended the Church of England as a child, but transferred to the Methodist Church at about 12 years of age.
I was bullied at school - having a father who is a Police Officer was no fun at school, believe me, but this only occurred during my years at public school. I really enjoyed my time at business college.
My grandparents lived in Blanchetown where I spent many happy days with my nanna.
I coloured my hair using hydrogen peroxide when I was a teenager, and it turned a not-so-delightful strawy-green colour.
I used to jump off balconies as a teenager, but now I'm terrified of heights - work that one out!
My brother and I used to visit the horse stables, even though I knew that I wasn't supposed to, as my asthma used to flare up each time we did. Mum didn't even need to ask where we had been.

This post is in answer to Sarah, who asked that I post a picture of me "in my white skirt and a pretty blouse". Please don't anybody tag me for unknown things about myself, for I should have extreme difficulty remembering any more unknown facts about myself.

My Favourite Christmas Carol

2009-12-08T17:52:00.004+10:30

O HOLY NIGHT

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Christmas Cards & The Reason for the Season

2009-12-08T16:43:00.011+10:30

This afternoon we have been busy making Christmas cards - very different Christmas cards - ones that fold out and stand up on the mantlepiece. They look absolutely beautiful when completed, and my son and daughter made them all on their own.

I know that some bloggers don't "do Christmas", but here in our home, we take pleasure in remembering what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us in His birth, baptism, death and resurrection, and I truly look forward to the day when He will once again reign on this earth. Sarah has also written about "doing Christmas", and I agree wholeheartedly with what she has written.

Oh sure, there once was a time when we became very legalistic about "not doing Christmas" or birthdays for that matter, but we are told to live in the world but not be of the world. It is up to the individual ♥ of each person to do what the Holy Spirit convicts them of. Susan also wrote an excellent blog post about doing or not doing Christmas, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and I have been thinking on what she wrote ever since.

I enjoy spending time worshipping Jesus, but it is not just confined to Christmas, and while we are told to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature - what better time of year to be able to do just this? People are so much more receptive to the gospel at this time of year than they are at any other time of the year.

We love doing and making things for others and I love the carol singing - old time favourites, such as Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Once in Royal David's City, but my favourite would have to be Oh, Holy Night, as the lyrics are absolutely divine.

Do we believe in Santa Claus - definitely not, but we do believe in Saint Nicholas, for he was known for his secret gift-giving, such as leaving coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him. Christmas should be all about servanthood, and remembering why Jesus came in the first place.

We also have a holiday for the Queen's birthday, but her birthday is not on that day. The Queen of Australia was born on 21 April, 1926, but her birthday was celebrated this year on 8 June, 2009. Birthdays are to celebrate the birth of an individual, but as the Queen illustrates, it is not the day that is important. Nobody knows precisely when Jesus was born, but that doesn't stop us (in our home) from wanting to celebrate His birth and all that it stands for.

Mind you, this is what we believe in our home, and I'm not trying to convince anyone to change their ideas or ideals. Just as I respect your rights and opinions, would you please give me the same courtesy? I hope that you can hear my ♥ in the post that I have just written, for it was written from a ♥ that loves Jesus, and wants to see others come to know and love Him, too.

The School of Obedience

2009-12-08T08:29:00.001+10:30

The latest book that I have been reading is The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray, and it was such an awe-inspiring book that I read it in one day. Our children have also read it as a part of the ACC curriculum.

Preface
What is covered in The School of Obedience?
Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture
The Obedience of Christ
The Secret of True Obedience
The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience
The Entrance to the Life of Full Obedience
The Obedience of Faith
The School of Obedience
Obedience to the Last Command
Note on the Morning Watch

Some of My Favourite Excerpts from the Book:

Preface: The very entrance into this life demands the vow of absolute obedience, or the surrender of the whole being, to be, think, speak, do, every moment, nothing but what is according to the will of God, and well pleasing to Him.

Page 38: It is in the closet, in the morning watch, that our spiritual life is both tested and strengthened. There is the battlefield where it is to be decided every day whether God is to have all, whether our life it to be absolute obedience. If we truly conquer there, getting rid of ourselves into the hands of our Almighty Lord, the victory of the day is sure. It is there, in the inner chamber, proof is to be given whether we really delight in God, and make it our aim to love Him with our whole heart.

Page 52: You ask for the ground of that faith in God's Word? You find it in God's New Testament promises, "... I will... write it [my law] in their hearts." "... I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me." The great defect of the Old Covenant was, it demanded, but did not provide the power for obedience. This the New Covenant did. The heart means the love, the life. The law put into, written into the heart, means that it has taken possession of the inmost life and love of the renewed man. The new heart delights in the law of God; it is willing and able to obey it.

Page 55: If you would enter into the blessed life of obedience; see here the open gate - Christ says, "I am the door." See here the new and living way - Christ says, "I am the way." We begin to see it; all our disobedience rests on not knowing Christ correctly. We see it; obedience is only possible in a life of unceasing fellowship with Himself. The inspiration of His voice, the light of His eyes, the grasp of His hand make it possible and certain.

Come and let us bow down, and yield ourselves to this Christ. Obedient unto death, in the faith that He makes us partakers with Himself of all He is and has.

This would have to be one of the best books that I have read for a very long time. Andrew Murray challenges every Believer to obey God, and there is a constant emphasis on denying one's selfish nature in order to follow Christ's perfect example of obedience. As Christ was obedient unto death, so every Believer should seek to obey God at any cost.

Backup to External Flash Drive - Thank You, Ruby

2009-12-07T17:59:00.008+10:30

What have I been doing today, you might ask??? Well, a little while ago, a friend of mine lost all of her files on her computer, but fortunately had most of them backed up on disks. This served as a HUGE warning to me, and I have spent all afternoon backing up our "C" drive onto an external 320GB flash hard drive, which we purchased for $119.00.

I would just like to say thank you, dear Ruby for the incentive to actually "just do it"! I have been procrastinating over backing up our hard drive for ages, but this afternoon I went to the Windows site and actually read how to do it. It took about two hours to backup to external flash HDD, but it will be well worth the effort if our computer crashes.

I love Ruby's blog, as it is so full of interesting and lively posts. "You haven't met her, yet", I hear you say. Well, don't delay, she just might have something that will help you in your walk with God, or maybe she might just save your computer files from destruction. Ruby, I thank you once again from the bottom of my ♥!

All Praises Belong to God

2009-12-06T21:26:00.003+10:30

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8: 26-28

Almighty Father, I praise you for...

...healing for the swelling in my ankles, feet and legs. The doctor didn't know what the problem was, but You are the Great Physician, our Healer and Deliverer.

...a wonderful homeschooling review, and I thank you for helping me to collaborate what we had learned into a legible document.

...my husband, who is and has been a wonderful help, as always, but especially so in the last few weeks while I have had trouble with swelling and pitting oedema in my legs, ankles and feet.

...our children, who have taken up the slack during the last few weeks, doing more than their fair share of chores.

...friends, especially blogging friends who have helped to make life more bearable during the last few weeks, and who have encouraged and supported me.

...our wonderful omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God, who is always there for us and with us, and for the gift of His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through whom we have access to the Father.

...being able to order our books and be ready for first term of 2010.

...it is nearly the end of the school year once again. There is so much that really needs attention over the Christmas holidays - defrosting the freezer, cleaning out cupboards, washing curtains and cleaning windows. Praise God that there will be time and willing helpers.

...for Jennifer from My Chocolate ♥, who hosts these praises each week. Praise God that I am encouraged to think about what You, Father have done for us, and continue to do for us each and every week. To view more praises, feel free to drop in and see Jennifer - I'm sure that she'd be delighted to "see" you.

My Handbag Brick

2009-12-05T21:46:00.006+10:30

A while ago I was given this leather Country Road Handbag by a friend from church, as she received it as a gift and doesn't use a handbag at all, and on our recent journey to Tumby Bay I transferred all of my handbag's contents over. This handbag has such a HUGE capacity that I wonder if I could actually carry it when it's full.

My last handbag was a shoulder bag and had many different compartments - this one has two, and one for a mobile phone, but as I don't have a mobile phone is rather redundant. This handbag is not one that I would have bought out of choice, but it is wonderful, and I praise God for His provision over us.

What kind of handbag do you have? Is it important to you if it's leather, fabric or vinyl? How many compartments does it have? Is it functional, or do you consider it just another accessory?

Diabetic Fruit Cake

2009-12-04T10:58:00.004+10:30

In our home we don't make cookies for Christmas, but this cake is a moist and delicious substitute for Christmas cake. Care to see more Christmas recipes, please visit Therese at The Musings of a Mom.

Diabetic Fruit Cake

Ingredients

3 cups mixed fruit
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup water
1 cup red wine (we use orange juice or grape juice)
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon bicarbonate soda
1 teaspoon mixed spice

Method
Preheat oven to moderate, 180C. Lightly grease a 20cm round cake pan. Line base and sides with baking paper. In a large saucepan, combine mixed fruit, walnuts, dates, water and wine (or juice). Bring to boil. Simmer for three minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool for 10 minutes.

Stir remaining ingredients into fruit mixture. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool cake in pan for five minutes. Then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Hymn and Scripture Verse for December

2009-12-04T10:11:00.001+10:30

MY SAVIOUR

I’ve a Saviour, kind and tender,
I’ve a Saviour full of grace;
And a smile of winning sweetness
Ever beams upon His face:
In my heart’s shrine of affection
He shall hold the highest place.

Refrain

How I love Him! How I love Him!
Since for me He bled and died;
How I love Him! Yes, I love Him
More than all the world beside.

For my sake He came from Heaven
To this world of sin and shame;
Bore my guilt, tho’ He was guiltless,
And tho’ blameless, took my blame:
Can I ever cease to love Him,
And His goodness to proclaim?

Refrain

Tho’ I’ve often been unworthy,
He has constant been, and true;
Tho’ I wronged Him, He forgave me
When I would my vows renew;
Tho’ I spurned Him, He with kindness
My rebellious heart did woo.

Refrain

I’ve a Savior, kind and tender,
He would be your Savior, too;
Will you not accept the pardon
Which He freely offers you?
Take Him now as your Redeemer,
Earth has not a friend so true.

Refrain

My husband chose this month's hymn, and I think that he has done an excellent job. Our new memory verse for this month is Luke 1: 46-55, and this beautiful hymn or poem is known as "The Magnificat".

What Do Goats Like to Eat at Our Place?

2009-12-03T21:44:00.009+10:30

I don't believe it - our delightful Toggenburg goats have started to eat my husband's ladder. He climbed the ladder and the TV tower to see why the booster wasn't working, and it was full of earwigs - twenty feet up the TV tower, and there were even earwigs there.

Our chickens are doing an excellent job of clearing them up, though, and they have been in the house yard again today. They spent all day scratching through the pea straw and the mulch that we have through the back yard. Last night my husband counted about twenty earwigs outside, and that is a definite improvement on the previous nights. Tonight, there aren't any earwigs outside, at all.

My husband isn't too worried about the ladder, but we really can't afford to replace it at the moment, so I pray that he won't have to use it again until we can afford to buy a new one - HORRID goats! We used to be able to leave the ladder in place for a few days with the Saanens, but apparently the Toggies thought that it was fair game. What do goats like to eat at our place???

Introduction to Deborah's Kids - Elisabeth & RG

2009-12-03T20:58:00.003+10:30

Last night, Deborah gave birth to twins - a buck and a doe, and the little doe is ever so tiny. The buck would be almost double her weight. These kids are Toggenburg paternity and Deborah is a British Alpine/Saanen cross. We trotted Deborah down to the yard, near the house, so that we could keep an eye on her and her kids simply by picking her kids up and carrying them. Deborah is such a good Mum and ever so protective. Best of all, she's an excellent milker!

What's Flowering at our Place & Our Homeschool Inspection?

2009-12-02T14:11:00.013+10:30

Everything seems to be flowering profusely this year. I don't think that I've seen so many flowers on the Feijoa at one time, and the grape vine is only a sultana grape, but the bunches this year are HUGE. The Silky Oak in our back yard is spectacular, and the parrots haven't discovered it, yet, but I'm sure that they will, and when they do, our home will be a noisy cavalcade of hungry parrots. The roses have also been flowering abundantly, and their fragrance is delicious.

What else would you see in our back yard? Well, at the moment we also have a sleepy lizard - might be something to do with the amount of earwigs present in our back yard at present.

Now, where are those chooks?

They were in the back yard, but now they've migrated to the orange grove, and there must be some rather tasty earwigs up there because they've been there for positively ages.

I love how the chooks look as if they are playing follow the leader in the photo on the right. What I don't like is the small deposits that they leave on the concrete paths. Oh well, we can always hose off the concrete, but the chooks are doing an excellent job of demolishing the earwigs. Praise God for all of His creation, but especially chooks!

How did we go with our homeschooling review, you might ask?

Well, we showed examples of what we had accomplished over the past eighteen months, and then showed Sally our slideshow of photos for the year. The rest of the photos are in a Scrapbook for 2008.

What samples did we show?

Cards that we had made
Several projects for Social Studies
Poetry Notebook
Computer & Web Design projects
Slide Show of our Scrap Book for 2009 made using jQuery Fancy Box
Books Read

We discussed options for TAFE AND university, and what my son aspires to be when he leaves school. Then we also discussed the new healthy eating guidelines for South Australian schools and pre-schools. After this we discussed the Premier's Reading Challenge, which our children do not participate in, but they read voraciously. Next on the agenda was the Premier's be active CHALLENGE, which entails spending an hour a day in physical activity for all students from reception to year 9. I guess my daughter would qualify based upon biological age???

I thoroughly enjoyed Sally's visit today - I think that the more ~~you~~ I homeschool, the more confident ~~you~~ I become, and ~~you are~~ I am more able to cope with what is expected. I had all of my paperwork up to date, diary and attendance records filled out properly, and the children had worked hard this year. I don't know about you, but it's helpful to me to have someone come in and inspect us every eighteen months, so that I make sure I'm "ticking all the right boxes", and Sally is very easy to communicate with.

All in all, it's been a great day - praise God for His goodness to usward!

What Next - Chooks in the House Yard?

2009-12-02T13:46:00.004+10:30

This last couple of weeks, we have had such a problem with earwigs - there have been millions of the horrid little things, literally. They are everywhere - in the garden absolutely everywhere, so much so that we decided not to replant the plants that they have eaten, as there is no point. They will simply eat the new seedlings before they have a chance to grow.

We tried spraying with a pyrethrin based insecticide, but it really goes against the grain. After all, we are growing vegetables at home so that we don't ingest all of those horrible pesticides that they get sprayed with, and then we go and do exactly the same thing.

BUT

The last couple of days we have been letting the chooks scratch around in the vegetable patch, and they have dramatically reduced the population of earwigs, so today, after much consternation, I decided to let the chooks into the house yard, and they have been having such fun turning the soil over and getting rid of the horrid pests that have invaded our home. I must really be becoming "countrified", for six years ago I would never have dreamed of letting the chooks into the house yard.

Believe me, nobody will walk around the house yard without shoes, but it will be ever so worth it if we can eliminate those horrid pests that have invaded our yard and our home. They were even in the shower with me this morning, but my husband draws the line at letting the chooks inside to clean up the earwigs.

Everybody that we talk to around the area has the same problem, even our friends in Adelaide, but at least we have an environmental solution to the problem, even if it does mean wearing shoes outside, all the time!

The True Meaning of Christmas

2009-12-01T20:26:00.002+10:30

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Jesus Christ was born this day
So many years before
He came a servant to the lost
Though he was Lord of Lords

We celebrate this joyous time
Reflecting on His birth
Not born in a mansion, but a stable
As if He had no worth

He came so He could identify
With the human heart of man
And gave His life as a sacrifice
Offering a better plan

A plan that reconciles us back
To our loving Father God
Bringing hope and redemption from
Sins ruling iron rod

For this is the only reason that we
Should celebrate this day
To become focused on anything else
Would take the meaning away

So let’s arise with joy in our hearts
And share it with everyone
The meaning of Christmas will always be
The birth of Jesus – God’s son

This poem, I found at Heaven's Inspirations, where we usually print our card verses from - that is, if we don't write them ourselves. I thought that it was too beautiful not to share. Michelle has some truly beautiful poetry there, too.

Getting Ready for Next Year

2009-12-01T17:04:00.005+10:30

Wow - can you believe that I spent nearly all day getting our curriculum order ready for next year? I have prayed about this for quite some time, praying that we make the right choices for our children.

I typed it all into an Excel spreadsheet, double-checked it and it has now been sent off. *Note to self* - ring Australian Christian College tomorrow to make sure that they have received it, as for some reason, our orders usually go astray.

The subjects that my son will be studying for his Academic Certificate, for years 11 and 12 are:

SAT maths preparation - is a combination of geometry and algebra.
English - including God's Tribesmen by James and Marti Hefley, and The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom and John and Elizabeth Sherrill
English Literature - studying Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Silas Marner by George Eliot.
Collectivism
Economics - one of the things that he will learn is to how to establish and follow a budget.
History of Civilisation
The Bible and Science - studying such excellent resources as, A Case for Creation, Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No! Scientific Creationism and In the Beginning.
Old Testament Survey
Christian Counselling - *I'd love to be able to study this course, myself*
Accounting
Business Maths
Basic Art

AND

My daughter will be studying these subjects next year to complete her year 10 Academic certificate:

Business Maths
English - including God's Tribesmen by James and Marti Hefley, and The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom and John and Elizabeth Sherrill
World Geography
Physical Science
Successful Living
Christian Growth

I feel as if I can finally rElAx, knowing that everything is in place for first term, 2010, and all praise belongs to God for helping me to do all things to the glory of God.

Upside Down Writing - Just the Trick for the Land Downunder

2009-11-30T18:10:00.001+10:30

¡ɥnɥ `ƃuıʇsǝɹǝʇuı

lɯʇɥ˙dılɟ/ʇǝu˙ʌɹǝɥs˙ʍʍʍ//:dʇʇɥ
:sı ǝʇısqǝʍ ǝɥʇ puɐ ʇǝu ˙ʌɹǝɥs pǝllɐɔ ǝɔɐld ɐ ɯoɹɟ sı ʇı

˙pɐǝɥ ɹnoʎ uo ƃuıpuɐʇs ʇnoɥʇıʍ ʇsod sıɥʇ pɐǝɹ uɐɔ noʎ ɟı ǝǝs os `sƃuıɥʇ ʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp ǝʞıl noʎ ɟo ǝɯos ɥɔnɯ ʍoɥ ʍouʞ ı ˙ʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp ʎllɐǝɹ sɐʍ ʇı ʇɐɥʇ ʇɥƃnoɥʇ puɐ `ʎɐpoʇ ʞooqǝɔɐɟ uo sıɥʇ ʍɐs ı

Out with Jesus, In with Frosty the Snowman - Not in Our Home

2009-11-30T16:58:00.005+10:30

I'm horrified...

...The 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia has upheld a school district's ban on Christmas carols such as "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" – and approved "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman."

What happened to free speech, free religion, free anything for that matter? Christmas is the time of year to celebrate the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The high school band had to rebuild its repertoire, the Martin Luther King Gospel Choir was ordered not to perform and the programmes were edited to remove any reference to Christmas, e.g. Christmas trees.

On November 24th, the Third Circuit approved the school's ban on all religious Christmas music, and this included instrumentals. However, one parent complained, so it is now up for review. I know that this is America, but how long before Australia follows suit - definitely not in our home?

I don't know about you, but I worship the Lord, Jesus Christ not Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Christmas is all about the Lord Jesus Christ, His birth, His death on the cross and what it means to us; His resurrection and our heavenly home with Him for all eternity.

I Thought that it was Nearly Summer???

2009-11-30T10:03:00.003+10:30

I thought that it was nearly summer, but it is so cold here today that we have lit the fire again. This morning it was about 5°C here, and there was definitely a chill in the air.

Guess who is really happy about that? Yes, you guessed it - Moonlight, the cat who had the grass seed in his eye. His eye is all better, now and you wouldn't even know that it had been there - it has healed that well - praise God!

Oh, by the way, I have some Google Wave invitations to give away, so if you would like one, please leave a comment or email me, and I will send it to you.

Praise God for...

2009-11-29T14:29:00.000+10:30

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

...God's loving provision over us - for the granted travelling mercies, the safe removal of the grass seed from Moonlight's eye, the food that He so generously puts on the table each day and for His Word, so that we can become more like Him with each passing day.

God's very own Son, the LORD Jesus Christ, who died to save us from our sins. May we always strive to be like Him and seeking His face.

... my husband - he works so tirelessly to keep our home, farm and homeschool running smoothly and for his love and dedication to our family.

... our children, who will learn whatever they need to learn when they need to learn it; for my son and his dedication to graphic design and for my daughter and her willingness to help whenever we need help.

...friends - blogging friends, internet friends and IRL friends who make this world the most beautiful place in which to live. I have met some of the most delightful people through the blogging and internet world.

...our goats, and the milk that they provide, so that we can make our own farm-fresh butter - our Toggenburg nannies are settling in well, now and are the friendliest of all.

answered prayer - my chest infection is finally beginning to clear - thank you to all of you who asked for prayer for me.

I pray for relief from the fires still burning in New South Wales, and for the firefighters bravely battling the fires.

I also praise our Almighty God for keeping the Dudek family out of jail - their "crime", homeschooling their children. Please keep the German homeschoolers in your prayers, and also pray that Germany's homeschooling laws will be repealed. At the moment, it is illegal to homeschool in Germany - Germany claiming that the education of the children is the state's responsibility. There are about 400 homeschooling families in Germany and almost all are operating underground or are in court. Please pray for homeschooling freedom in Germany.

Praise God for the cooler weather after the abundance of hot weather that we received, for it has surely been a welcome relief.

Would you like to see more praise posts, or perhaps you'd like to participate in praise yourself? Then head on over to Jennifer's to see some more praises.

New Blog Coming Soon

2009-11-28T18:03:00.000+10:30

My son has been working on a new blog for me, as a late birthday present, and the image (above) is just a teaser of better things to come. At the moment, it is being coded, but I absolutely love the theme and the name. My son has done an excellent job of designing this new blog, as I knew what I wanted, but communicating that to my son was so difficult, as he is not a woman, and he likes different design themes than I do.

The name has also changed, but I think that this is a reflection of how much deeper my relationship with God has become, and how much I have matured over the last couple of years.

Ten Rules for a Happy Marriage

2009-11-28T17:06:00.000+10:30

Ten Rules for a Happy Marriage

1. Never both be angry at the same time.

2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.

3. If one of you has to win the argument, let it be your mate.

4. If you have to ctiticise, do it lovingly.

5. Never bring up mistakes of the past.

6. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.

7. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.

8. At least once every day, try and say one kind and complimentary word to your life's partner.

9. When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit it, and ask for forgiveness.

10. It takes two to make a quarrel, and the one in the wrong is the one who does the most talking.

This is a wall hanging that we have hanging in our lounge room, and is one that my husband bought me for one of my birthdays. I love the simplicity of the wording on it, but it is ever so true. How many husbands and wives could argue if they implemented these rules in their marriage? However, there is one more that should be at the beginning, and that is to put God's Word first in all things.

Happy Anniversary to the Adepts

2009-11-28T14:33:00.000+10:30

It is Mr and Mrs Adept's 16th wedding anniversary today, so I created the "card" for you in Photoshop using a photo of the jasmine that we have growing in our gateway. The jasmine is absolutely stunning at this time of year, but if you go through the gate, you need to take a breath before you get there and not breathe while going through it. The perfume is rather overwhelming, but the plant is so spectacular that it is worth it.

May the Lord grant you many more years of happiness together, and I hope that you have a wonderful day.

What Sort of Flower are You?

2009-11-27T21:30:00.001+10:30

I am a

Canna

What Flower
Are You?

You Are a Canna

"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

I saw this at Gae's blog, Cherished ♥♥♥ at Home, and thought that it might just be fun to try something different - not that I put any stock into these sorts of things - not me, never.

It's rather interesting because my nanna's favourite flowers were Cannas, and I remember them growing at the side of her home in Blanchetown. My nanna was a beautiful lady, and she brought me up for most of my childhood, and she was always there for me, cheering me on. Gee, I miss her!

Ah, wonderful memories...

What is Marriage?

2009-11-27T21:03:00.000+10:30

What is 'Marriage'?

From the beginning God's ideal is that one man and one woman should live together in union for life. Genesis 2:18-24. A man should leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Matthew 19:4-6.

An engagement to marry among the ancient Israelites was nearly as binding as marriage, and unfaithfulness during the engagement was considered as bad as adultery. (Deuteronomy 22:23-27; Matthew 1:18-20) Parents usually chose the marriage partners for their sons and daughters. (Genesis 21:21; 24:1-4; 38:6; Ruth 3:1-5)

In ancient Israel, it was considered a matter of social shame if a wife did not have children. (Genesis 16:1; 30:1, Samuel 1:10-11; Luke 1:7)

Bridge Bible directory, Don Fleming

My husband and I have been happily married for twenty three years, but it has not always been 'peaches and cream', for a good marriage needs to be worked at. We have had our ups and downs, and there have been times when both of us have needed to remove ourselves from the situation and calm down .

God intended that husband and wife should be husband and wife until death do us part, and my husband and I intend to honour that vow. A good marriage doesn't just happen - it has to be worked at, but like the photo says, "Our marriage is a covenant to share one life together in Christ Jesus." The photo is of a plaque that my husband bought me from the local Christian bookstore for my birthday, and it is how I feel about our marriage. Marriage is a covenant between God, husband and wife, and it is forever.

What does 'marriage' mean to you? Do you see the beauty in God's divine way of matching up husband and wife?

The Meaning of Christmas in our Home

2009-11-26T16:47:00.009+10:30

It's that time of year again when we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but it's more than that - it's about pausing and reflecting on what His birth was all about. Jesus birth was not just about His birth, but about the reason that He came to earth, His baptism, His death and resurrection to restore fellowship with the Father, God.

Some people don't believe in celebrating Christmas, as it has its roots in paganism, but in our home, we celebrate the birth of Christ for what He did for us on the cross. Is December 25th the correct date for celebrating Christ's birth? - probably not, as when He was born, the shepherds were in the fields tending their flocks by night. Luke 2:8 However, it is the date that has been universally adopted as the date that we celebrate Christmas, so we accept that.

It was only because of the divine oneness between the Father and Son that Jesus could bring God to man, and only because of the human oneness between Jesus and His fellow man that He could bring man back to God. John 14: 6-10, 1 Timothy 2: 4-6

I acknowledge Jesus Christ as LORD over my life, and submit to him as one who has complete authority over my life, and I love Him as one who has saved me from my sin and given me new joy, peace and hope.

One day, the LORD Jesus Christ will return in supreme power and glory, and in that great day there will be acknowledgement that He is indeed the LORD of us all.

In our home, we have a nativity scene set up in the lounge room as a reminder of what Christ's birth and precious atoning blood did for us. My husband made the stable and we bought the nativity scene from the local Christian bookstore. I glued each piece of straw onto the roof individually for a thatched roof, and it was a real labour of love, as it took me about six hours, but it looks great.

How do you celebrate Christmas in your home? Do you have a nativity scene, Christmas tree or maybe something different? Do you send Christmas cards or maybe a Christmas letter, and how do you celebrate Christmas day?

Where Were We at 9:30 Last Night?

2009-11-25T16:32:00.005+10:30

Where were we at 9:30 pm last night? Well, not where we normally are at 9:30 on a week night, that's for sure.

First of all, let me take you back almost seven years ago, when we adopted a cute, little black kitten named Moonlight, who had a grass seed in his left eye. My husband managed to remove the grass seed from his eye, and we bought some eye ointment from the local vet to treat it for infection. Moonlight is my daughter's and my "my, your, our" cat, as he loves both of us, but I was the one who held him while my husband removed the grass seed from his eye when he was little, and I cried more than he did!

Seven Years On...

Moonlight, our famous ratter and mouser, came in last night with a grass seed in his eye, but we didn't even realise until he didn't want anything to eat - now, that's unusual! He had lots of grass seeds all throughout his fur, so we started removing them, and my daughter noticed that his eye was nearly fully shut. We took a look, and we could see the tails of a grass seed, but there's no way that I was going to try and hold him while we removed it with our tweezers, as they aren't really designed for that kind of thing. Moonlight also has bigger claws these days, although he was too much of a gentleman to use them, but I burst into tears at the thought of hurting him.

My husband rang the local vet, and he said that he would meet us at his surgery at 9:30 pm, so we set off into town and arrived a little earlier than 9:30, so we sat and waited. Moonlight sat on my lap all the way into town, and he was generally well behaved, considering that he doesn't normally travel in the car, except to go to the vet - note to self - must buy a cat cage.

Geoff met us there at 9:30, and we took Moonlight in, and Geoff could see the grass seed, so he decided to remove it then and there. I left the room (I'm pretty much a wuss when it comes to pain for anything that I love), and I felt that I could be more of use praying for the safe removal of the grass seed.

No more than thirty seconds later, I heard a cry from the surgery saying that it was out, so I hurried back in and looked - sure enough, it was out. We paid the vet, and his fees were very reasonable, as they always are. This is a man that really cares about animals, and it shows.

We brought Moonlight home, and he was much more relaxed on the way home, even laying his head on my arm. Upon arriving home, he had a HUGE feed (above left) and he laid on the lounge room floor, and I lay down with him, promptly falling asleep until about 11:00 pm, when I went to bed, taking Moonlight with me. He lay there cuddled up with me until about 3:00 am, when he went for something more to eat. Something tells me that this dear, lovable bundle of fluff is on the mend,

AND

I PRAISE GOD FOR ANSWERED PRAYER...
...for the safe removal of Moonlight's grass seed,
...for safe travelling and
...for a vet who is willing to go the extra mile for the animals that he treats.

We truly do serve a great God who is capable of doing more than we could ever ask or think! It is only the limitations that we place upon God that hinder us in our prayer life.

Sunset Last Night

2009-11-24T11:07:00.002+10:30

My daughter makes a habit of taking photos of beautiful sunsets and presenting them to me as a gift. This one was taken last night and the colours are absolutely spectacular, don't you agree? Our Creator God created all of these colours and more just for His pleasure and so that we could worship Him for His Creation.

NOT Making the Bed

2009-11-24T10:38:00.006+10:30

Brrr - it was soooo cold here this morning, but my cat, Jeremiah is not stupid. He had his head on my pillow and was snuggled up next to me, and when I tried to arise, he was not happy, so I placed the continental quilt gently over him, and he settled down to sleep once again.

This poses a problem, for my nanna always told me that I should have my bed made and dishes done first thing in the morning, and whatever doesn't get done after that won't matter, but the dishes need to be done and the beds made. Am I going to shift my cat - no way, and there aren't any spoilt cats in this house, either. Mind you, I might make the bed around him - I've done that before today!

One World Government

2009-11-23T14:45:00.007+10:30

During the last couple of days, I have had some very interesting conversations with several of my friends about the signing of the Copenhagen treaty, and lo and behold, Christine has also posted about this very issue.

In December, 2009, the governments of the world are going to Copenhagen, ostensibly to sign a climate change bill that will divert as much as 2% of GDP to third-world countries, supposedly to compensate them for the evils wrought by two centuries or so of Western industrialisation.

This bill is not about climate change, but is about setting up a One World Government, under whose rule, Australia will no longer:

be considered a democracy, for the One World Government will take precedence over our own democracy, and you can't resign from this treaty, for you have to get the permission of all the other countries, and the third world countries won't let you out of the treaty because they are getting money out of it.
One World government will also usher in a One World Religion, so there will no longer be freedom of religion.
have the freedom to be able to vote, for our country will no longer be a democracy.

All countries will be pressured into signing this treaty! They are about to impose Communistic rule over the world. Lord Monckton has read the treaty - how many of the politicians have actually read the treaty that they're about to sign???

We need to be doing something about this - write to your politician and let them know that this is not in our country's best interests. This is not about climate change, or ETS, but is rather about a New World Order, taking away the rights of the individual countries, and unless we act quickly, there will be nothing that anybody can do about it - not future governments, nobody.

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus...

Shine, Jesus Shine

2009-11-22T13:06:00.005+10:30

Awesome God, set our ♥♥♥ on fire for you, and flood the nations with grace and mercy!

Praise Post for this Week

2009-11-22T10:13:00.007+10:30

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

Praise you God ...

...for the wonderful ground drenching rain that we received last night - all 72 mm of it! That means we have had 42 mm overnight, and all of our rainwater tanks are overflowing once again. This is not good news for farmers, but it is so beautiful if you're not a farmer.

...that I have been able to compile all of the information needed for my homeschooling review. Now all that I need to do is to stick all of the photos for the year into our scrap book, and we have completed all that we need to do in readiness for our review.

...for my patient, gentle husband, who works quietly behind the scenes to keep our home running smoothly.

...for our children, who are also willing to help when help is needed, and who simply get their school work done to the glory of God.

...for our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent heavenly Father, who is always there for us, providing for us and strengthening us in times of trials, for the food that He puts on the table and His comfort.

...that He sends all kinds of trials into our lives to strengthen our faith. Help me always to lean on His everlasting arms and may He carry me during the times of greatest trials. Knowing that He shelters us from the storms of life is the source of my greatest comfort.

...for granted travelling mercies when we have needed them.

...our earthly home, but I look to Christ's promise of our heavenly home, where we can spend eternity serving Him.

...that we have clean air to breathe, here in Australia, for there are those in other countries that don't have that luxury, and where pollution is normal.

...for my Bible - there are countries where it is illegal to read the Bible, much less own one, and people are willing to risk imprisonment, even death, to be able to hear God's Word.

...for the ability to homeschool - there are many countries where homeschoolers, especially Christian homeschoolers are persecuted for their belief and homeschooling, and homeschooling is considered a crime.

Thank you, Jennifer for hosting praises each week.

Praise God - It's Raining Again!

2009-11-21T22:34:00.004+10:30

Praise God for the rain - we have had 30 mm of rain so far, and it's still raining steadily. It's such a welcome relief after all of the hot weather that we have been having.

Yesterday I went to the doctors and I now have a chest infection - boy, can I really relate to Job at the moment, but like Job, it is strengthening my faith in God, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Today I have spent all day on the computer compiling the paperwork necessary for our home school review, but it is now finished - 11 hours later, but I can honestly say that I did all things to the glory of God.

Where am I now - still on the computer, and my husband is feeling like a computer widow, so I'll say nighty night, and I'm off to bed, too.

New Turkey Chick (Poult)

2009-11-20T22:17:00.005+10:30

We have had our turkeys for almost two years now, and we now have our second turkey chick, which is called a poult. The turkey hens are so clumsy, and they tend to break the eggs so easily. They are definitely not very economical to breed, but I like them just the same - they are so cute. At the moment, we are thinking about buying a twenty-four egg auto-turn incubator. I think that this is the only way that breeding turkeys is going to be a viable proposition.

Our gobbler takes great delight in chasing my son and my husband, but is a perfect "gentleman" around my daughter and me. He talks so nicely - gobble, gobble, gobble - scary when you think that I actually talk to a turkey, but even scarier because he answers me. I think that I've been out in the country for too long!

My husband had extreme difficulty in taking this photo, as the little orphan goat that we are raising, Alexandria, was being such a nuisance, as she thinks that my husband is her mum, and every time that she sees him, she thinks that it is feed time - now that is even scarier!

Now, this is what living on a hobby farm does to you - be warned, those of you who are considering taking up the country lifestyle!

Never Alone

2009-11-20T11:04:00.003+10:30

Source unknown, 19th century

Tuna and Macaroni Bake

2009-11-19T16:33:00.003+10:30

Tuna and Macaroni Bake

Ingredients
250 grams of macaroni (uncooked)
150 grams of corn kernels, drained
1 cup of frozen peas, rinsed and drained
180 gram can of tuna in brine, drained
½ cup of sour cream
½ cup of crushed cheese flavoured biscuits

White Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons cornflour
2 cups of milk

Preheat oven to 180°C (or 350°F). Boil a big pot of water and carefully add the macaroni. Boil the macaroni for the minutes and drain well. Put macaroni, corn, peas and tuna into a large bowl.

Make the white sauce by placing two tablespoons of butter into a saucepan and melt over a slow heat. Remove from heat and add the two tablespoons of cornflour, mixing gently with a fork. Add milk a little at a time, stirring well all the time. Heat gently, stirring all the while until sauce thickens.

Pour the white sauce into the bowl with the other ingredients, add the sour cream and mix well. Place the combined mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle with the crushed biscuits. Bake for 20 minutes and serve hot.

Would you like to see more recipes? Then head on over to Therese's from The Musings of a Mom - I'm sure that she would be delighted to "see" you.

God Works All Things Out for Good

2009-11-19T15:10:00.004+10:30

God truly does work all things out for good, doesn't he? For quite a while I have wanted/needed a larger monitor for our computer lessons, as I had to keep scrolling from side to side to see what I was doing and what needed to be done, but there have been other more urgent issues that have demanded attention before I indulge in such luxury.

Almost three months ago, we had a power blackout for eighteen and a quarter hours. Fortunately we didn't lose anything except some corned beef and the ice-cream defrosted. Thank goodness that we have a deep freezer, and this kept everything frozen even during the long time that we were without power.

On Monday we received a cheque for $160.00 from ETSA for the inconvenience caused, so my husband phoned Stephen at Newell Computers to order my new monitor - a ViewSonic 22" LCD one. After all, it's money that we never had, so we really won't miss it, and I only had to find $70.00 to buy this new monitor. We ordered it on Monday and it arrived in town on Wednesday. Their service is normally quicker than this, but the courier service that they use had a breakdown. Normally, we can order something from Newell's and it is here the same night on the bus.

God truly does work all things out for good to them that love Him, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Rather Interesting Assortment of Photos

2009-11-18T17:13:00.007+10:30

Thank you all for your well wishes during the last few days. Today I have managed a full day's school without sleeping, so I think that I have turned the corner - praise God. Isn't it amazing that when you are sick, your body knows that it needs to rest, and rest mine did?

You might ask - what do a loaf of bread, a shadow and a dusty sky have in common? I asked my son to take some photos outside, as it is so dusty and VERY HOT, and this is an assortment of what he took - a rather interesting assortment, don't you think?

MY SHADOW
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.

He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;
I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

Robert Louis Stevenson - A Child's Garden of Verse

The ones that I really feel for are the animals, and our billy looked so miserable when I saw him at lunch time, for the dust and the wind were so horrific. I'm really looking forward to the cool change, and we, like Christine, have millions of tiny little bugs that seem to invade our home through the fly screens. The cool change can't come soon enough for me!

What do Christopher Robin and I have in Common?

2009-11-16T16:48:00.007+10:30

What do Christopher Robin and I have in common - well it appears that he gets sick, too?

My husband awoke me early this morning, and we arose as usual, but things went very quickly downhill after that. I have felt off-colour for the past few days, with sneezes and a horrid running nose, but I thought that it was just hay-fever - it's the right time of year for it. Today I have developed a cough to go with it. We had breakfast, and then my husband suggested that I retreat to bed. I slept all morning while he supervised the "childrens' schoolwork".

Now, what does a devoted husband do when his wife is sick, and he is supervising the children? Well, if you're my husband, you take the children swimming and call it P.E.

This afternoon we managed to wade our way through the rest of the school work, but I'm looking forward to an early night tonight. Therese from Aussie Coffee Shop is also on the sick list at the moment, so could you please keep her in your prayers, and oh, me too, of course?

Sneezles

Christopher Robin
Had wheezles
And sneezles,
They bundled him
Into
His bed.
They gave him what goes
With a cold in the nose,
And some more for a cold
In the head.
They wondered
If wheezles
Could turn
Into measles,
If sneezles
Would turn
Into mumps;
They examined his chest
For a rash,
And the rest
Of his body for swellings and lumps.
They sent for some doctors
In sneezles
And wheezles
To tell them what ought
To be done.

All sorts and conditions
Of famous physicians
Came hurrying round
At a run.
They all made a note
Of the state of his throat,
They asked if he suffered from thirst;
They asked if the sneezles
Came after the wheezles,
Or if the first sneezle
Came first.
They said, "If you teazle
A sneezle
Or wheezle,
A measle
May easily grow.
But humour or pleazle
The wheezle
Or sneezle,
The measle
Will certainly go."
They expounded the reazles
For sneezles
And wheezles,
The manner of measles
When new.
They said, "If he freezles
In draughts and in breezles,
Then PHTHEEZLES
May even ensue."

Christopher Robin
Got up in the morning,
The sneezles had vanished away.
And the look in his eye
Seemed to say to the sky,
"Now, how to amuse them today?"

A. A. Milne

Now I know how Christopher Robin felt, but I pray that with a good night's sleep tonight, I'll be feeling better in the morning, and I do hope that my wheezles don't turn into measles, for my sneezles definitely came first.

BABYLON SYSTEM: (Read even if you're busy)

2009-11-15T19:54:00.005+10:30

I received this email from a very dear friend of ours tonight, and it was just too good not to share.

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

“We can't keep Christians from going to church.”

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." "To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives."

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

Give them headaches too!

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. "Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean:

B-eing
U-nder
S-atan's
Y-oke?

Cream Puffs

2009-11-15T15:09:00.005+10:30

Last night, my son had another go at making Cream Puffs, and I think that you'll agree, he has done an excellent job of making them this time. Last time that he made these, he neglected to follow the recipe properly, adding ½ cup instead of ½ teaspoon of sugar *gulp*. This time they look great, and they tasted absolutely delicious.

God must look down upon us from time to time, and wonder why we don't follow the "recipe" that He has left us in His Word, too. I can just imagine how He feels when we I finally manage to "get the recipe" right.

But, in the large scheme of things, all that He really desires of us is a personal relationship with Him, through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He desires us to spend time with Him in prayer and reading His Word, and asks us to have total faith in Him - not too much to ask, really, especially when He gave His only begotten Son so that our relationship with Him could be restored.

God is so awesome and has such amazing love for us!

Praise for this Week

2009-11-15T13:40:00.004+10:30

Praise God...

that God sent His Son to die for our sins, and that Jesus was obedient to His Father's Will.

for my husband and the long hours that he works around our home, keeping it looking nice for us, and keeping the pool beautifully clean so that we can keep cool in this hot weather.

our children, who continue to amaze us with what they know and ther determination, such as my son who made dinner for us last night, Banana Choc-Chip Buttermilk Muffins and has also made Cream Puffs once again, and this time they turned out well.

that I can see the morning light, for there are many who are blind. Lord, help me to keep my eyes open to the beauty around me.

for the food that you put on the table, as there are many who are hungry.

for my family, as there are many people who are lonely. Help me Lord to see the people who are lonely and make a difference to their lives.

that my son didn't break his ribs when he stumbled and fell on the end of the bed (onto the bedknob at the foot of the bed) this morning while trying to turn his alarm off before it woke everyone in our home.

for our home, our pool and our garden - thank you Lord for your continuous provision over us. Help me to remember that all things are a gift from you.

for answered prayer - help me Lord to cast everything before you so that you can deal with it, for I know that you care for me just as much as you do the sparrows.

for friends - blogging friends, internet friends and IRL friends who continue to help me to grow into the sort of person that you want me to be.

air conditioning in this extremely hot weather, and I am looking forward to the cool change that is expected later today.

Would you like to see more praises - head on over to Jennifer's.

Banana Choc-Chip Buttermilk Muffins

2009-11-14T22:11:00.010+10:30

My son has been busy baking once again - firstly Cheesy Tuna Pasta for dinner, and afterwards Banana Choc-Chip Buttermilk Muffins. Dinner was delicious, and these are so deliciously fluffy and light and just right with a glass of icy cold goats' milk.

Banana Choc-Chip Buttermilk Muffins

Ingredients
2½ cups self-raising flour
¾ cup castor sugar
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup buttermilk
1 banana roughly mashed
⅔ cup choc-chips

Method
Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a 12 hole muffin pan or spray with spray oil. Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl, stir in the remaining ingredients, but do not overmix. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes and then turn the muffins onto a wire rack to cool.

NEW EYE OPENER

2009-11-14T16:57:00.012+10:30

This list of omissions comes from a pamphlet called, "New Eye Opener", which we received from a Christian friend of ours a long while ago, and that was just sitting on the shelf waiting for me to do something about it, but after reading Adrian's post about the changes to the Bible, I thought that it was time that I posted it.

200 KEY REFERENCES show how all modern Bibles differ from the King James Version, and the Greek Textus Receptus from which it was translated.

These 200 omissions are in the Greek Textus Receptus from which the King James Bible came.
Griesback, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, Wordsworth, Westcott and Hort: in footnotes and translations, have changed the Greek Textus Receptus in almost 6, 000 places. This is why we have so many omissions in our modern Bibles. Words omitted, in brackets, parentheses, or italics are counted as not authentic according to BRAIN-WASHED modern scholarship. With a red pencil, mark all these omissions which occur in your Bible and be surprised.

MATTHEW

1:25 (FIRST BORN) is out. Speaking of the Lord Jesus
5:44 (BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU) is out
6:13 (KINGDOM, POWER AND GLORY) is out
6:27 (STATURE) is changed to span of life.
6:33 (OF GOD) is out. Referring to the kingdom -
8:29 (JESUS) is out. As Son of God.
9:13 (TO REPENTANCE) is out. Calling sinners -
12:35 (OF THE HEART) is out. Good treasure -
12:47 (VERSE IS OUT) About Christ's mother.
13:51 (JESUS SAID UNTO THEM and LORD) is out.
15:8 (DRAWETH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH) is out.
16:3 (O YE HYPOCRITES) is out.
16:20 (JESUS) is out.
17:21 (VERSE IS OUT) About prayer and fasting.
18:11 (VERSE IS OUT) Tells Jesus came to save.
19:9 (LAST 11 WORDS ARE OUT) About adultery.
19:17 (GOD) is out. None good but (God)
20:7 (WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT RECEIVE) is out.
20:16 (MANY BE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN) is out.
20:22 (BAPTIZED WITH CHRIST'S BAPTISM) is out.
21:44 (VERSE IS OUT) About Christ the Stone.
23:14 (VERSE IS OUT) Woe scribes and hypocrites.
25:13 (WHEREIN THE SON OF MAN COMETH) is out.
27:35 (FULFILLED SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET) is out.
27:54 (THE SON OF GOD) is a son of God.
28:2 (FROM THE DOOR) is out.
28:9 (THEY WENT TO TELL HIS DISCIPLES) is out.

MARK

1:1 (SON OF GOD) is out in Williams, Goodspeed, Panin, Nestle, New World, Westcott & Hort.
1:14 (OF THE KINGDOM) is out. Jesus gospel -
1:31 (IMMEDIATELY) is out. The fever left -
2:17 (TO REPENTANCE) is out. Call sinners -
6:11 (MORE TOLERABLE FOR SODOM AND GOMORRAH) is out.
6:16 (FROM THE DEAD) is out. John is risen -
6:33 (HIM) is changed to them.
7:8 (WASHING OF POTS AND CUPS) is out.
7:16 (VERSE IS OUT) about having an ear to hear.
9:24 (LORD) is out. A believer called Him Lord.
9:42 (IN ME) is out. Little ones that believe -
9:44 (VERSE IS OUT) About fire not quenched.
9:46 (VERSE IS OUT) Where worm dieth not.
9:49 (EVERY SACRIFICE SHALL BE SALTED) is out.
10:21 (TAKE UP THE CROSS) is out. Jesus said -
10:24 (FOR THEM THAT TRUST IN RICHES) is out.
11:10 (IN THE NAME OF THE LORD) is out.
11:26 (VERSE IS OUT) If ye do not forgive, etc.
13:14 (SPOKEN BY DANIEL THE PROPHET) is out.
13:33 (AND PRAY) is out, or in italics.
14:68 (AND THE COCK CREW) is out.
15:28 (VERSE IS OUT) Scripture was fulfilled, etc.
15:39 (THE SON OF GOD) is a son of God
16:9-20 (12 VERSES ARE OUT) in some Bibles.

LUKE

1:28 (BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN) is out.
2:33 (JOSEPH) is changed to father.
2:43 (JOSEPH AND HIS MOTHER) is changed to parents.
4:4 (BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD) is out.
4:8 (GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN) is out.
4:41 (THE CHRIST) is out. The Son of God.
6:48 (FOUNDED UPON A ROCK) is well built.
7:31 (AND THE LORD SAID) is out.
9:54 (EVEN AS ELIJAH DID) is out.
9:55 (YE KNOW NOT WHAT MANNER OF SPIRIT) is out.
9:56 (SON OF MAN IS COME TO SAVE LIVES) is out.
11:2-4 (MUCH IS OMITTED FROM THE LORD'S PRAYER)
11:29 (THE PROPHET) is out. About Jonah.
17:36 (VERSE IS OUT) One taken, another left.
21:4 (CAST IT UNTO THE OFFERINGS OF GOD) is out.
22:20 (VERSE IS OUT) out in NEB and RSV.
22:31 (AND THE LORD SAID) is out.
22:64 (THEY STRUCK HIM ON THE FACE) is out.
23:17 (WHOLE VERSE IS OUT) in many Bibles.
23:38 (LETTERS OF GREEK, LATIN AND HEBREW) is out.
23:42 (LORD) is out. Remember me, etc.
23:45 (SUN WAS ECLIPSED) in Moffatt and NEB.
24:3 (OF THE LORD JESUS) is out.
24:6 (HE IS NOT HERE, BUT IS RISEN) is out.
24:12 (VERSE IS OUT) Peter's testimony.
24:40 (VERSE IS OUT) Christ showed them hands, feet.
24:49 (OF JERUSALEM) is out.
24:51 (CARRIED UP INTO HEAVEN) is out.

JOHN

1:14 (BEGOTTEN) is out in 1:18; 3:16; and 3:18.
1:27 (PREFERRED BEFORE ME) is out. Jesus is -
3:13 (WHICH IS IN HEAVEN) is out.
3:15 (SHOULD NOT PERISH) is out.
4:42 (THE CHRIST) is out.
5:3 (WAITING FOR MOVING OF THE WATER) is out.
5:4 (VERSE IS OUT) Pool of Bethesda.
6:47 (ON ME) is out. He that believes -
6:69 (THAT CHRIST THE SON) is out.
7:53 (TO 8:11) is out, in brackets or italics.
8:16 (FATHER) is out. Changed to He.
9:35 (SON OF GOD) is out. Is Son of Man.
11:41 (WHERE THE DEAD ARE LAID) is out.
16:16 (BECAUSE I GO TO THE FATHER) is out.
17:12 (IN THE WORLD) is out.
20:29 (THOMAS) is out.

ACTS

2:30 (ACCORDING TO FLESH RAISE UP CHRIST) is out.
7:30 (OF THE LORD) is out. An angel -
7:37 (HIM SHALL YE HEAR) is out. Christ -
8:37 (VERSE IS OUT) or in brackets or italics.
9:5-6 (MUCH IS OMITTED) Concerning God's will.
10:6 (WHAT THOU OUGHTEST TO DO) More is out.
15:18 (KNOWN UNTO GOD HIS WORKS) More is out.
16:31 (CHRIST) is out.
17:26 (BLOOD) is out.
20:25 (OF GOD) is out. The kingdom -
20:32 (BRETHREN) is out.
23:9 (LET US NOT FIGHT AGAINST GOD) is out.
24:6-8 (MUCH IS OMITTED) or in brackets or italics.
24:15 (OF THE DEAD) is out. Resurrection -
28:16 (HALF OF VERSE IS OUT) in italics or brackets.
28:29 (VERSE IS OUT) in italics or brackets.

ROMANS

1:16 (OF CHRIST) is out or in italics or brackets
1:29 (FORNICATION) is out.
5:2 (BY FAITH) out in Moffatt, RSV, and NEB.
8:1 (LAST TEN WORDS ARE OUT) or in italics
9:28 (IN RIGHTEOUSNESS) is out.
10:15 (OF PEACE) is out. Gospel of -
10:17 (OF GOD) is out. Christ is substituted.
11:6 (LAST 18 WORDS ARE OMITTED)
13:9 (SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS) is out.
14:6 (15 WORDS ARE OUT) Regarding the day.
14:21 (OFFENDED, MADE WEAK) is out.
15:29 (OF THE GOSPEL) is out.
16:24 (WHOLE VERSE IS OUT) in italics or brackets.

1 CORINTHIANS

1:14 (I THANK GOD) is out in many Bibles.
5:7 (FOR US) is out. Christ sacrificed -
6:20 (LAST 7 WORDS ARE OUT) Your Spirit, etc.
7:5 (FASTING) is out. Joined with prayer.
7:39 (BY THE LAW) is out. The wife is bound -
10:28 (THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S) is out, and more.
11:24 (TAKE EAT) is out. This is my body -
11:29 (LORD'S) is out, referring to the body.
15:47 (THE LORD) is out. Lord from Heaven.
16:22 (JESUS CHRIST) is out.
16:23 (CHRIST) is out.

2 CORINTHIANS

4:6 (JESUS) is out.
4:10 (THE LORD) is out.
5:18 (JESUS) is out or in italics.
11:31 (CHRIST) is out, or in italics.

GALATIANS

1:15 (GOD) is out.
3:1 (THAT YE SHOULD NOT OBEY TRUTH) is out.
3:17 (IN CHRIST) is out.
4:7 (THROUGH CHRIST) is out.
6:15 (IN CHRIST JESUS) is out.
6:17 (LORD) is out.

EPHESIANS

3:9 (BY JESUS CHRIST) is out. God Created -
3:14 (OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST) is out.
5:30 (OF HIS FLESH AND OF HIS BONES) is out.
6:1 (IN THE LORD) is out. Obey parents -
6:10 (MY BRETHREN) is out.

PHILIPPIANS

3:16 (LET US MIND THE SAME THING) is out.

COLOSSIANS

1:2 (THE LORD JESUS CHRIST) is out.
1:14 (THROUGH HIS BLOOD) is out, or in italics.
1:28 (JESUS) is out.
2:11 (OF THE SINS OF) is out.
3:6 (CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE) is out.

1 THESSALONIANS

1:1 (FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND LORD JESUS) is out.
2:19 (CHRIST) is out.
3:11 (CHRIST) is out, or in italics.
3:13 (CHRIST) is out, or in italics.

2 THESSALONIANS

1:8 (CHRIST) is out, or in italics.

1 TIMOTHY

1:17 (WISE) is out. The only wise God.
2:7 (IN CHRIST) is out, or in italics.
3:16 (GOD) is out. Manifest in the flesh.
4:12 (IN SPIRIT) is out.
6:5 (FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF) is out.

2 TIMOTHY

1:1 (OF THE GENTILES) is out.
4:1 (LORD) is out.
4:22 (JESUS CHRIST) is out, or in italics.

TITUS

1:4 (THE LORD) is out, or in italics.

PHILEMON

1:6 (JESUS) is out.
1:12 (RECEIVE HIM) is out.

HEBREWS

1:3 (BY HIMSELF) is out. Purged our sins -
2:7 (SET HIM OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS) is out.
3:1 (CHRIST) is out.
7:21 (AFTER ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK) is out.
10:30 (SAITH THE LORD) is out.
10:34 (IN HEAVEN) is out.
11:11 (WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD) is out, Sarah -

JAMES

5:16 (FAULTS) is changed to sins. (wrong Greek text.)

1 PETER

1:22 (THROUGH THE SPIRIT) is out.
4:1 (FOR US) is out. Christ suffered -
4:14 (LAST 15 WORDS ARE OUT) or in italics.
5:10 (JESUS) is out, or in italics.
5:11 (GLORY AND DOMINION) is out in some Bibles.

2 PETER

2:17 (FOREVER) is out, or in italics.
3:9 (US IS CHANGED TO YOU) Destroys meaning.

1 JOHN

1:7 (CHRIST) is out.
2:7 (FROM THE BEGINNING) is out.
4:3 (CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH) is out.
4:9 (BEGOTTEN) is out in some versions.
4:19 (HIM) is out, or in italics. We love -
5:7-8 (MANY WORDS ARE OUT OR CHANGED)
5:13 (LAST 13 WORDS ARE OUT)

JUDE

1:25 (WISE) is out. Referring to God.

REVELATION

1:8 (THE BEGINNING AND THE END) is out.
1:11 (TEN WORDS ARE OUT) Alpha and Omega, etc.
2:13 (THY WORKS) is out.
5:14 (HIM THAT LIVETH FOREVER AND EVER) is out.
6:1 (AND SEE) is out in 3, 5, 7 also.
8:13 (ANGEL IS EAGLE) Greek text says, "angel."
11:17 (AND ART TO COME) is out.
12:12 (INHABITERS OF) is out. The earth.
12:17 (CHRIST) is out.
14:5 (BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD) is out.
16:17 (OF HEAVEN) is out.
20:9 (GOD OUT OF) is out. Fire came from -
20:12 (GOD IS CHANGED TO THRONE)
21:24 (OF THEM WHICH ARE SAVED) is out. Nations -

BAD NEWS FOR MODERN MAN
Today's English Version
By the American Bible Society

THE BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS
IS OMITTED 15 TIMES:
See Matthew 27:4, 24, 25; Acts 5:28, 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9;
Ephesians 1:7, 2:13; Colossians 1:14, 20; Hebrews 10:19; 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 1:5, 5:9.

24 BIBLE VERSIONS EXAMINED

New English New Testament - 197 out of 200
New International Version - 195 out of 200
Revised Standard New Testament - 189 out of 200
Berkeley Version New Testament - 185 out of 200
Weymouth's in Modern Speech New Testament - 184 out of 200
New American Standard New Testament - 183 out of 200
Good News For Modern Man New Testament - 182 out of 200
Williams' New Testament - 180 out of 200
Ivan Panin's Numeric New Testament - 180 out of 200
Goodspeed's American Translation New Testament - 179 out of 200
Moffatt's New Translation New Testament - 175 out of 200
Wuest's Expanded Translation New Testament - 169 out of 200
Amplified New Testament - 165 out of 200
Twentieth Century New Testament - 161 out of 200
Phillip's New Testament - 142 out of 200
Darby's Translation New Testament - 138 out of 200
Living New Testament Paraphrased - 130 out of 200
New Confraternity New Testament - 119 out of 200
Norlie's New Translation New Testament - 62 out of 200
Lamsa's Eastern Text New Testament - 49 out of 200
John Wesley's Translation New Testament - 43 out of 200
Martin Luther's German New Testament - 0 out of 200
King James Version New Testament - 0 out of 200
Textus Receptus (King James Greek) N.T. - 0 out of 200

INTERLINEAR GREEK TEXTUS RECEPTUS
NOW AVAILABLE
800 Pages give the Greek test fromwhich the King James Version was translated in 1611. Literal English words appear between the lines, and under each Greek word, making it possible for anyone to make an accurate check on all new Bible Versions. Many hard-to-understand verses are made clear by this more literal translation. It is not necessary to understand Greek, in order to receive help from this book. Foot-notes on each page give the initials of six men who changed this Greek text in about 6,000 places. GOD WROTE ONLY ONE BIBLE, and no man can prove this is not the New Testament God wrote according to 2 Peter 1:21.
Please contact address at the bottom of this post for current price.

WALKER'S KING JAMES CONCORDANCE
50,000 more references than Crudens. All are in biblical order. Proper names are accented for easy pronouncing. Bible students handy and quickest text finder. Comprehensive and superior to all others for the King James Bible. 968 clear type easy to read pages, size 5½ by 8½ and 2 inches thick. Hard cloth life service cover.
Please contact address at the bottom of this post for current price.

The Apostasy of the Early Church Prepares the Way for Corrupting Copies of the Original Manuscripts
Corruptions of the original Bible manuscripts and its influence can be traced from the days of Origen, 200 AD down through the committees responsible for the English Revised Version of 1881; American Standard Version of 1901; and all modern Bibles which depart from the Greek Textus Receptus. The following references are given to prove that this is true.

Revision Revised, p. 413
Dean Burgon; Inquiry, p. 413
Dr. Frederick Nolan: See Encyclopedias on Tatian; Diatesaron of Taitan p.9
J.H. Hill; Article on Origen by McClintic & Strong,: Church History, Vol. 2, p. 791
Dr. Schaff; Apologia pro vita sua, Chap. 7, p. 282
Dr. Newman; History of Our English Bible, p. 70
Dr. Ira M. Price; Introduction to Textual Criticism of N.T., p. 80
A.T. Robertson; The Canon and Text of the N.T., p. 345
Dr. Gregory; Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 86; Eccles, History, book 5, Chap. 28
Eusebius; (Scribners) Vol. 1, pp. 434-435
Ante-Nicene Fathers; History of Dogma, Vol. 1, p. 128
Harnack; Three Religious Leaders of Oxford, pp. 481-482
S. Parkes Cadman; Princeton Review, Jan., 1854, pp. 152-153; History of Christianity, Vol. 2, p. 107; History of Christian Doctrine, p. 19
G.P. Fisher; Texts and Margins of the Revised N.T., p. 45
Dr. G. Vance Smith; A History of the Revised Version, pp. 36-37
Samuel Hemphill; The Traditional Text, p. 163
Burgon & Miller; Introduction to Greek O.T., p. 86
Swete: Cath. and Prot. Bibles, p. 4,6
Jacobus; Jerome Against Helvidius; Defense of Translations of the Bible (1583, p. 62
Faulke; Memoir of Life of Cartwright, p. 276
Brook's; The Catholic Encyclopedia, Article on Douay Bible; Revised Version, p. 51
Cook; Nicene and Post
Nicene Fathers (Christian Lit. Ed.), Vol. 6, p. 338; The Influence of the Bible, p. 136
Von Dobschutz; New Commentary, Part 3, p. 719
Gore: Church History, Vol. 2, p. 446
Hagenbach; History of the Reformation, Vol. 2, p. 391

Kurtz; Many more references can be added, but these thirty three ought to be sufficient.

HERE'S THE ACID TEST
Any version of the Bible, that does not agree with the Greek Textus Receptus, from which the King James Bible was translated in 1611, is certainly to be founded upon corrupted manuscripts. Origen, being a textual critic, is supposed to have corrected numerous portions of the sacred manuscripts. Evidence to the contrary shows he changed them to agree with his own human philosophy of mystical and allegorical ideas. Thus, through deceptive scholarship of this kind, certain manuscripts became corrupt. Evidently from this source our modern revised version Bibles and paraphrases have come. Read pages 900-902, Vol. 16, 1936 edition Encyclopedia Britannica, and you will see that Origen taught that the Lord Jesus Christ is a created being who did not have external existence as God.

WATCH - AND REMEMBER - ALWAYS
TO KEEP BOTH EYES OPEN
"After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, to draw away disciples after them, Therefore WATCH, and REMEMBER, that by the space of three years I ceased not to WARN EVERYONE NIGHT AND DAY WITH TEARS." - Acts 20:29-31

KING JAMES BIBLE DEFENDED
Dr. Edward Hills, Th.D. gives documented evidence, proving authenticity of the Textus Receptus from which the Bible was translated in 1611. 280 pages
Please contact address at the bottom of this post for current price.

WHICH BIBLE?
Edited by Dr. Otis Fuller, D.D. The composite work of eleven Bible scholars who favour the King James Bible, 318 pages
Please contact address at the bottom of this post for current price.

GOD WROTE ONLY ONE BIBLE
This book reveals a secret plot of diplomatic trickery, which seeks to destroy the faith in the plenary-verbal (word-by-word) interpretation of the Bible. Modern versions and paraphrases cannot be the full and complete Word of God, when essential portions have been deleted. Bible text corruption is spiritual blood poison, and faith can be no more perfect that the Word which produces it.
Please contact address at the bottom of this post for current price.

5,000 MISSIONARY PARTHERS ARE NEEDED IN THIS SPIRITUAL EMERGENCY

Every Christian who receives this Eye Opener is considered a Missionary Partner. Send for more to distribute among confused believers in all parts of the world, who want to know the truth. Help sustain "FAITH" in God's Word.

Order from:
Eye Opener Publishers
P.O. Box 7944
Eugene, Oregon 97401

This is in the original form of the pamphlet as written by Missionary - Bible Teacher, J. J. Ray, (although the contact address at the bottom has been revised - it is a VERY old pamphlet).

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:18, 19

Tour of Our Home - Paddock

2009-11-14T15:25:00.005+10:30

Photo Key:
Top left - Paddock looking back towards our home
Top right - Overlooking our paddock towards the north (taken from neighbour's paddock)
Bottom centre - looking across the paddock toward the north-east

Isn't it quite a contrast to the house block? There's lots of dirty dirt out here, and it's so dry here at the moment, but the tall trees make such a difference to the air temperature. If you look hard at photos of the paddock, you can still see the Salvation Jane that grew so prolifically this year.

The goats thrive on all of the dry grasses in the paddock, but we still feed them hay and oats just to supplement their diet and to keep them friendly.

This now concludes the end of the "Tour of Our Home" - as you can see, our home is very diverse in the areas, but each area has its own use, and I...

...Praise God continually for His constant provision over us!

Tour of our Home

2009-11-14T14:14:00.006+10:30

Photo Key:
Top left: side lawn with famous Hills Hoist and climbing roses along fence
Top right: Vegetable patch
Middle left: front of home from road, showing Bottlebrushes planted along side of road
Middle right: front of home taken from driveway
Bottom left: The back of our home taken from near the squatter's tank
Bottom right: Orange grove, which includes Orange and Mandarin trees and thornless blackberry bushes

This almost concludes the tour of our home, and all that is left is the paddock, which is where we "house" all of our goats and sheep, that is, when the goats aren't kidding, for it is much easier to house them in the yard near the house, as that is where the milking stand is, and we can shut the kids away from their mums.

The vegetable patch is a work of art, as the ground was so hard and compacted when we came here, but with gentle perseverance and determination, it has produced well. At the moment, we are growing carrots, leeks, onions, corn, beans, garlic, cauliflower and cabbages. We do have some plants coming along in the nursery.

The front of our home is very similar to when we arrived here, except that we have planted all of the garden, apart from the large trees, the lawn and the bottlebrushes. It was like an arid lunar landscape when we first arrived here almost seven years ago.

The back of our home is also remarkably similar to when we arrived, although we have replaced the fence and repainted our home, but the driveway was already rubbled, and it's great, for even when we have massive downpours, there is no mud, and in summer there's no dirty dirt - we only have clean dirt here.

The orange grove has been a HUGE challenge, for our Orange trees haven't wanted to grow, but we found out that there is a magnesium deficiency in the soil, so we have been treating that with Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate), and they are finally growing. The thornless blackberries were just cuttings from the parent plants, but they are growing beautifully.

Isn't it amazing how God has placed us where we, too, will grow and flourish? When we were looking for this place, we prayed for specific needs, and God fulfilled every one of those needs. Our Creator God is awe-inspiring and He does provide for all of our needs - all that we need to do is to have faith in Him.

Tour of Our Home

2009-11-13T20:37:00.011+10:30

These photos are of:
Top left - My daughter's garden
Top right- the orchard - Orange, Almond, Apricot and Peach trees
Middle left - the rest of the orchard - Apple, Nectarine and Pear trees
Middle right - the Bushy Sugargum Hedge - well it will be when it grows. Hopefully this will cut down on soil erosion and act as a windbreak.
Bottom left - Robinias, Callistemon and Eucalypt trees
Bottom right - our driveway with lots of Sugargum trees - the best thing about these trees is that the cockies don't devastate them because of the arsenic in them.

These areas are all outside the house yard, but there are more photos to come - the side garden, the vegetable patch and the paddock, but it is nearly dark, and my husband took these this morning before it started getting really hot. Do you suppose that he would take some more tomorrow if I asked him really nicely?

Praise God - it's supposed to be cooling down on Sunday, and is only supposed to be in the high 20's!

Tour of Back Garden

2009-11-13T14:27:00.018+10:30

Photo Key
Back Garden - facing west to the left of back door
Back Garden - facing west to the right of back door
Back Garden - more of garden facing west to the right of back door
Back Garden - more of garden facing west to the right of back door
Silky Oak tree - about 20-25 feet to the right of back door
Garden Arch - facing west directly in front of back door
Back Garden - facing west to the left of back door (showing pool in background)

Our back garden was a real challenge with the tall trees - Silky Oak, Common Ash, Guava and Melaleuca - and virtually no garden border when we arrived here almost seven years ago. However, my husband cut out some of the path and gently curved the garden border, replacing the small stones with large sandstone rocks from some of the nearby demolished houses.

Then began the job of planting it out, as the previous people only had plants in pots (in the ground), and when they moved out, the plants went with them. We tried many and varied plants before we found anything that would actually grow there. It is very wet in winter and is in only dappled sunlight in summer. The tall trees also tended to dry out the ground rather quickly, so we have been watering using a sprinkler, and this has worked to perfection.

The swimming pool was another mammoth task, with my husband digging the hole for the deep end with a pick and shovel, and generally levelling it up. Before he even started, he had to shift the clothesline and pull the fence down - a four feet high fence with 3 feet of concrete on the bottom of the posts. While he was digging, he found old galvanised water pipes and the new polypipe, which had to be shifted, of course. We managed to erect it ourselves, and now we are reaping the reward by being able to swim whenever we want.

Near the back door is a small rockery, and we have had various plants in there, but the cats seemed to think that this was a fun place to play, so now we have planted Banksias, and they are so prickly that the cats seem to have deserted it for now.

The garden arch had a White Potato Creeper when we first arrived here, but it used to take over everything, so we have planted a Star Jasmine there instead- the perfume from it is rather overwhelming, but if you take a deep breath before walking through it, it's fine, and the flowers are so beautiful.

In the bottom left photo, you can see the strawberries alongside the wall and the pool in the background. This home, that God has provided for us is truly what we had prayed in earnest for, even down to the Silky Oak tree in the back yard.

And finally, here is our swimming pool, complete with decking, although my husband is going to add more decking on the left hand side of the pool. Next week, hopefully, we will have the sails erected, enabling us to swim without becoming sunburnt.

God has truly blessed us with this home!

Our Front Garden

2009-11-12T17:10:00.008+10:30

I was "talking" to Jeanne last night, and she asked me to post some photos of our home and garden, so here they are.

These photos are:
top left - house and garden facing west
top right - house and garden facing south
second to top (LHS) - house and garden facing south (close up)
second to top (RHS) - house and garden facing west (close up)
third from top (LHS) - front garden facing north
third from top (RHS) - front garden facing north (more of it)
bottom left - Dichondra Silver Falls in hanging pot made by one of the "Gypsy troupe"
bottom right - house and garden facing west (RHS of house)

These are just a few of our garden photos. I will post some more tomorrow, for this is just the front garden, and there is still my daughter's garden, the side lawn and climbing roses - and where we have the famous Hills Hoist; the fruit orchard, the orange grove, the back yard and the pool yard.

In our front garden there are eremophilas, cordylines, eryops, wattles, banksias, callistemons, Bridal Veil Broom, lavenders, Federation daisies, grevilleas, convolvulus, polygalas, Indian Hawthorn, Holly trees, golden diosmas, Cockies' tongues, Lomandras, conifers and Agapanthus plus many more. We also have numerous tall trees that were here when we moved here.

Most of our garden consists of native plants and shrubs, for they are so hardy and require minimal water. It amazes me at the variety of plants that our loving Creator God has created for His enjoyment and so that we can worship Him for His greatness.

The Talking Centipede

2009-11-12T15:55:00.008+10:30

I received this email from a friend today, and I thought that it was too good not to share - I hope that you enjoy it, too.

THE TALKING CENTIPEDE

A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet.

So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet.

After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.

He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.

So he asked the centipede in the box,"Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."

But there was no answer from his new pet..

This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again,"How about going to church with me and receive blessings?"

But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet.

So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation.

The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time.

This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted,"HEY IN THERE! WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TO CHURCH WITH ME TODAY AND LEARN ABOUT GOD?"

YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS ...

This time, a little voice came out of the box,"I heard you the first time! I'm putting on my shoes!"

Making Goat Butter

2009-11-12T15:06:00.006+10:30

Last night my husband separated the milk from the cream using a hand separator. He started out with nine litres of milk and this produced 700 millilitres of cream, and this in turn produced about 300 grams of butter. A word of warning, though - unless you have a new separator, this can be messy, so do it in a place where mess doesn't matter. We used our car shed, with the separator set up on a bench top.

We can still use the goats' milk as it is skim milk, and it is delicious. In fact, I had a glass full of skim milk with my lunch today.

After separating the cream from the milk, he placed the cream into the blender with a teaspoon of salt flakes, and blended it in short bursts until it became lumpy.

Next, he took it out of the blender, and continued to beat it using an electric hand-mixer until it became quite thick. Next, he drained the buttermilk off, and placed the butter into a colander and poured very cold water over it in order to make it set. After this, he placed it onto the chopping board and used the spatula to knead it.

We now also have buttermilk to make Mixed Berry Buttermilk Muffins.

Then, he placed the completed butter into a butter container in the refrigerator to set hard. It is also a different texture to bought butter - it is sort of crumbly and harder, similar in texture, when spread, to cottage cheese.

This butter is absolutely delightful, and doesn't leave that greasy aftertaste in your mouth that cows' milk butter does. It is also different in taste to bought butter, but it is absolutely delicious, and there is no goaty taste to it.

All in all, making goats' butter is incredibly simple - all that you need is a little time and patience. Would we do anything differently next time? Yes, we would place the salt in with the butter after draining the buttermilk off. You live and learn with experience!

Thank You for your Friendship

2009-11-11T16:11:00.010+10:30

Since this blog's inception in August 2007, there have been many people who have encouraged me; in my efforts to write to my blog, in my homeschooling endeavours and in my everyday walk with God.

I would just like to take the time to thank these people from the bottom of my ♥ for their friendship and willingness to take the time to visit my blog.

This all started out with the humble carrot, or rather carrots from our garden. My husband picked them, and this started me thinking about how the carrots were intertwined, and I liken this to my friends from the blogosphere whose lives have become intertwined with mine.

The carrots, when they are intertwined, help to hold each other up and they grow together, just as we from the blogging world help to build each other up, fellowship and grow together in our love for the Lord.

My son and I designed this award for you, the friends who have helped this blog (and me) to grow. As hard iron sharpens steel, as in Proverbs 27:17, let us build one another up in the Lord.

Now for the fun part - giving the award to my friends, and these are in no particular order, for they are all well-deserving of recognition:

Jeanne ~ A Peaceful Day
Ruby ~ Mumma's Place
Sarah ~ Eternity in Your Heart
Christine ~ The Home Truth
Ganeida ~ Ganeida's Knots
Tania ~ Out Back
Therese ~ Aussie Coffee Shop
Grace ~ Beyond the Black Stump
Caz ~ Beauty for Ashes
Aliadelaide ~ Homeschoolingdownunder
Susan ~ Kerugma Posts
Mrs Adept ~ Adept Serendipity
Mrs BB ~ Beyond Bluestockings
Lusi ~ Fruitful Vine
Singing Mama ~ Beautiful Melodies
Devildogwife ~ Marine Corps Nomads
Jennifer ~ My Chocolate Heart
Therese ~ The Musings of a Mom
Alecat ~ Serenades & Solace
Richele ~ Barefoot Voyage
Cathy ~ Too Many Flowers
Skye ~ Warm Love
Gae ~ Cherished ♥♥♥ at Home

Please feel free to pass this award, if you feel so inclined, on to your faithful blogging friends.