Sunday, August 18, 2013

Breakfast Casserole

My mom gave me a recipe years ago, it's a nice all in one breakfast. If course, I could not find the recipe, and went online searching. The link below is what I found, now I'm off to make it.  ;)

Breakfast Casserole

Thursday, August 8, 2013

With All My Heart

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  ~Deuteronomy 6:5  (NIV)

The above verse is one I’ve read and thought about many times since Sunday.  A few days ago, I started participating in an online Bible study (OBS) called, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God  through Proverbs 31 Ministries.  The study is based on a book called What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst. Deuteronomy 6:5 is the verse we’ve been focusing our time on during our first week and chapter of study. 

How do I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength?  I started by not turning away from or ignoring that uncomfortable urge or twinge, #YestoGod. You know what I mean, right?  That feeling that tugs and says “do it”.  “It” being that kind, loving, uncomfortable task, that you really don’t want to do, but know you should do.  The tasks that make someone else’s life better.  Selfless acts that share God’s love and grace, when you’ve already got enough to do.   Sometimes it’s a simple task, like an offer to help someone, when you’re really in a hurry. It is wiping the snot off of someone else’s child while their parent is too busy talking to notice or eating a germy cracker (because they love you enough to share).   Sometimes it’s a large task such as; committing to teaching preschool Sunday school each week, instead of attending your favorite service time  or becoming PTC secretary and communications officer for the next two years. Or, going to nursing school because you feel drawn to be a patient advocate, treating them with dignity and respect as their body fails them.

What does this mean to me?  Each time I say yes, I spread God’s love.  Not in a fantastic saint like way, that will always be remembered, but in a way that helps make events, or routine happen. It means I give my time, energy and self to children in my community. I am not that parent that drops my kids off to a free activity and runs.  I usually volunteer and work to help run that activity.  I’m not perfect and pleasant on the inside always; I do get stressed, and have a crappy attitude, stomp around (in my head) during moments when I’d rather be at home. I sometimes practice “smile and fake it ‘til you make it”.  Yet, after each task is accomplished, I feel closer to God.  When I started volunteering, it was because I realized how few do, now I couldn’t imagine life without it. I don't enjoy every minute, but I know I'm  working for the Lord.

One great thing about doing good, is the rewards.  I have a great husband and children, and all our needs are met, Amen.  I have children say “hi” and introduce me to their parent because I “work at their school” (1-2 hours a week I volunteer to help where it is needed).  I get random hugs, and  am called “teacher“ and “mom”.  Other parents call or text to get info, when they lose their paper. I feel at home in my community, and like I contributed to it.

Now, I’ve grown to believe God is blessing me, with these job assignments. I view that twinge, that urge, that I feel from God as a growing pain and know I’m blossoming into the daughter he helped shape. #PalmsUp

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Parent Involvement Matters

The 2013-2014 school year is about to begin.  The video below is from PTO Today, an organization that helps parents everywhere get involved, through use of ideas and resources. While many of you don't want to think about the school year, those that are teachers, volunteers and PTC/PTO parents, don't stop thinking about school just because it's summer.

There are many, many tasks that need extra hands throughout the year.  You choose what time and effort you want to put forth.  Try one meeting or one event, or ask a teacher how you can help.  There are many benefits of volunteering, such as:

  • You meet the many people that have already dedicated themselves to helping your child and his/her school; which helps you put a face to a name.
  • Your child will know you care about their schooling
  •  Non-volunteer parents will be amazed by seeing what moms and dads pulled off
  • You will know what is going on at your child's school
  • You will appreciate local business, they are always silently supporting by  offering donations through funds, food or supplies
  • You will feel a sense of accomplishment, when you see things move from a brainstorm to hearing your excited child talk about that awesome assembly, field trip, activity, or  Tye-dye t shirt day you helped with.
  • You will become a part of your community and people will know you by name.
  • Your child will know you helped, and will be proud of you.
So, go to that open house, meet the new teacher, and sign up with the local PTC/PTO and find out where you can fit in. They are busy parents and teachers, with jobs and kids, too.  
"Many hands make light work." - John Heywood

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Come, Thou Almighty King


A Web Search With A History Lesson

I know we all spend more time on the internet than we intend to. I am blessed that almost on a daily basis, I find helpful things, instead of mind-sucking-time-wasting things. I find sales, recipes, reconnect with friends, and most importantly I use it as a worship tool! I search for one thing and end up forgetting what I was doing as I learn more about the history of the church, devotionals, people sharing the Lord's love and online Bible study communities.

Whew, back to the title and purpose of this post...Come, Thou Almighty King. I fell upon this blog post searching for the lyrics to “Come, Thou Almighty King”. My church also did Kingdom Rock VBS, which always has great worship music, and it was one of the songs. We were invited to lead music worship at a local Layman’s camp, and I managed to round up a pianist and children willing to sing. So, we chose classics that require only one practice, because the kids know them, and this particular song, from VBS. I stumbled upon a little history lesson I think is worth the read.  Click here to read about "Come, Thou Almighty King"


Friday, August 2, 2013

School Shopping: When You Have to Buy New

I love to shop, but hate to see my bank balance go down.  I find I tackle shopping trying to get the most for the least, and I take this challenge to a competitive level.  I start out with a strategy to find all I can during 'garage sale season'; which in Michigan is primarily May-September. Then towards the half point of summer, I start retail shopping.  When I buy new I follow the following steps:
  • Know Goodwill prices; make it a goal to get new around the same price.
  • Sign up for mailing lists, coupons can come snail mail, email or text.
  • If you can control yourself, a store card sometimes yields and extra 5-25% off.
  • Shop clearance
  • Coupon Stack; some stores let you use more than one code.
  • Free shipping should always be a goal, unless the gas costs more that shipping to drive there.
  • Rebates for places you shop are great.  I use Ebates regularly. Every time I click a store link and shop, I get a cash % back in the form of a quarterly check. Shopping stores I shop anyway. 
The results of my strategies yield name brand/mall brand clothing for my family at used prices, and at better quality than if I just went to cheap stores that also sell groceries.

Any questions? Suggestions? Feel free to comment.  Happy shopping.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Book I Couldn't Put Down


A Noble Groom at Amazon.com

This is a book review on A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund.

Based in the 1880’s, German settlement around the thumb area, the story unfolds around a young widow and her family.  They send to the ‘old county’ for a cousin for her to marry, so she can keep her land and have protection.  In the mean time a nobleman hiding from false charges is directed to help her homestead until her husband can make the trip to America.  Of, course they fall in love and there are hardships that bring them closer, while family and station try to keep them apart.  There are other themes throughout the book beyond tough farm life, class separation and wifely submissiveness. As a Christian book, there are themes about forgiveness, God loving widows and children and values. 

I love historical fiction, and Jody Hedlund has another gem in this book.  As a Michigan native I enjoy finding out more about the early settlers as they build towns around principles of God, family and hard work.  I could not put this book down.

This is a review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I chose this book from a list as an item of interest.  I was not compensated and opinions are my own.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Sweet Book

Buy Here
The following is a review of the book Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell.

This book is set in 1910, and amazing, busy time to be a forward thinking woman of society.  Lucy lives in a world of rules and social grace wrapped around being an only child. Her father has fallen ill, and the family fortune is dwindling.  She is being pushed into an ‘appropriate’ marriage match while struggling not to fall for the rival candy maker’s son. Business becomes competitive and dirty as these two families try to one up one another. 

This was quite a fun read, could not put it down.

This book was given to me as a  review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Interesting Book of Love, Change and Politics

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The following is a review of the book Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate.

I love when the central character in a book grows throughout the story. Mallary Hale was working in Washington DC when her life was turned upside down; she meets, falls in love, marries, becomes a mother and moves across the country in the blink of an eye.  She learns to see life outside the bubble she grew up in, takes on small town life and the game of politics.  She steps out of her comfort zone and sees the reality of life is different for others. This former career gal goes through so many changes, she begins to blog out of frustration and to keep friends and family up to date in her daily adventures.  Beyond the daily struggle she begins to trust and believe in God, and how she is in the right place at exactly the right time. 

This book was given to me as a  review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

A Fun Book Full of History and Mystery

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The following is a review of the book The Tutor’s Daughter  by Julie Klassen. 

I thought this was a nice little Christian book of characters wrapped around a love story.  The main character is an educated woman whose father runs a school for boys.  Her father is offered a job to tutor two young boys who happen to be the younger brothers of former students. The job is at the pupils home, which will require relocating to a new town.  She remembers the older brothers from their days at the school; one was her friend and the other tormented her with pranks.  Years later she’s curious to see how the older brothers fair, now that they are grown men.

As with many stories there is emotional conflict and a struggle to have a personal relationship with God grow.  True to many historical fiction works, there’s is a clash with class hierarchy and the desperate measures people go through to retain fortune and status. To make the  book even more exciting there is a mystery entwined. 

I will look for more books by this author in the future!

This book was given to me as a  review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

A Wonderful Guide to Christian Leadership in a Comprehensive Book


The following is a review of the book The Conviction to Lead: The 25 Principles of Leadership that Matters by Albert Mohler. 

I found this book a good outline of qualities sought in a leader.  It would also serve as a great tool to keep a leader consciously on track.  My favorite part as relating to the aspects of a Christian leader within this book talk of how a leader has a story that they believe in and retell.  The book outlines 25 leadership principles, and is separated into 25 chapters.  I think this would be a beneficial read to anyone who wishes to strengthen leadership skills and anyone seeking an employer or organization that lead as such.

This was a nice read, as I am taking some steps in leadership myself. I found myself nodding my head in agreement and also felt fueled and strengthened in my beliefs.

This book was given to me as a  review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Free Shipping On All Orders



STOCK UP SALE - $5&up!
The Children's Place

Need new clothes for your kids, but hate paying shipping?
 Today both Crazy8 and Children's Place are offering free shipping, on any size order.
  This is my favorite kind of online offer.

Summer Styles!
Crazy 8
                  

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Enjoyable Book Full of HIstory

The following is a review of the book Unending Devotion, by Jody Hedlund.

Lily Young is an adult orphan trying to find her sister; who she thought was safe with an adoptive family, but runs away.  Lily has a job as a photographer’s assistant and travels in central Michigan to logging camps as part of her work. She goes from brother to brothel seeking to save her sister, often saving others instead.  She uses her faith and strength from God to save young girls who are caught up in the ugly shanty town lifestyles, and end up becoming prostitutes.  She helps rally townspeople to make things better and overthrow a powerful tavern/brothel owner, who makes his own laws. 



I enjoyed this book.  I’ve been a Michigan resident my whole life, and this book brought some unsavory history to me about lumber towns.  It resembles classic stories about newly developing towns and how they were full of men, taverns and lawlessness.   It told of the struggle of building a town, trying to get churches and schools established, so respectable citizens and families would want to settle.  It showed perseverance, and using God’s strength and grace to fight  for what is right, even when the battle is hard.

This book was given to me as a  review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Prevail


“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
 ~ Proverbs 19:21 NIV11

Let.It.Go. Week 2 Online Bible Study Blog Hop

Did God ever redirect my plans and have His path lead to blessings? YES! Lots of little blessings.  Here’s my story of  God’s plan changing my plan.  Last fall my original plan was to go to Sunday service.  I brought the kids upstairs to their Sunday School classroom, only to have my daughter tug my arm and ask me to stay with her, which encouraged my son join her plea, so I stayed.  So, I attended children’s Sunday school instead of my adult service; no big deal, I could catch up on pod cast. My teenage daughter joined us, not wanting to sit alone in the sanctuary.  I don’t remember the Bible story or message that particular week. I do remember a couple of rambunctious 3 year old boys that made me think my teenager and I were in the right place, to help at the right time.

The next Sunday, the same tug and question, but this time, I made my little ones join my service, which is boring to  5 and 6 year olds.  The Sunday school teacher gently reminded me, it is important for them to hear the message intended for them.  So, on the third week of cling-ons my oldest and I once again, joined the Sunday school class, and tried to round up the rowdy three year old so the other children could learn. 

I now teach Sunday school to those rowdy little boys in the pre-school room, with the help of my 15 year old daughter.  I never would have volunteered to do such a task, if my children hadn’t dragged me to there.  I prepared crafts and stories off of the lesson plans given to me, but  I did not know what I was doing.  I kept comparing things to the other teacher who is older and a “real teacher” in the school system. Now, I’ve learned to take my lesson plans, and alter them within the limits of my kids.  My class a bridge somewhere between nursery and school age. 

Each Sunday I go to pre-school to worship.  God is there with me, giving me the strength to find beauty and fun doing His work.  I get smiles, giggles,  snack time,  songs and dance.  I get to color, glue and wipe sticky fingers.  I get to share  my love of God with these precious souls, who I now think of as my kids.  Last week we had six 3 year olds and a 2 year old. It has been a blessing to me, in more ways than I can account for.  I’ve always had faith, but didn’t grow up going to church.  I am not as well versed in scripture as many are.  I am growing and do more devotionals and spend more time with God now. 

Friday, February 8, 2013

Let.It.Go. Week 1





I have joined an online bible study (OBS) group using the book “Let.It.Go” by Karen Ehman.  I purchased my copy on Amazon in the Kindle format. The OBS is hosted by Melissa Tayor and is located at http://melissataylor.org/.  This is my first OBS, I’ve done a couple other books at church with ladies groups. I look forward to growing my faith and relationship with God. I find I really like doing these studies.  I enjoy looking a scripture and applying it to my life.  I hope you do too!




1. WHAT-EVER! – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” ~ Colossians 3:23 NIV84    I’ve been sick with the flu this week, so I’ve been doing the bare minimum, so admittedly, I’ve yet to apply this.  I did put it on my phone’s lock screen.  I do that often with inspiring words.  This verse is such a coverall.  Most immediate is the perspective on housework.  I get angry when I have to pick up after others.  Not nice to say, especially since I’m a stay-at-home-mom. When I pick up socks, legos, and things left around, I get mad.  No one follows me, looking for a spot where my things go.  I feel like I am the only one in a house of 5 people who cares, then I feel taken for granted. Now that my rant is over, I’ll go back to how this verse comes into play with these feelings.  If I look at a tidy house as a way of honoring God, and work for Him when I do housework, I feel less exasperated, then when I mumble to myself about my messy family.  When put into play in other areas I just feel if you give it your all, you use work as an example of what can be done when you’re God powered. It translates into a testimony of honoring God.

2. WiReD. –Hi, my name is Daphne Fitzpatrick and I have a tendency to control. I’m a loud, people pleaser, who plays martyr when I take on too much and feel unappreciated. But I have hope and so do you! The quiz results were bordering between easygoing yet, take charge and manipulative depending on the situation.  I hope this study allows me to trust God more often.  I’m already praying more before tasks, just asking for strength and to do His will.  I’m hoping to be calmer, because I will trust more, while worrying and shouldering less.  

3. Ooo! Shiny! – I loved learning about the difference between a tool, toy and tangent. The world really has a lot of choice. I find that Facebook represents all three to me.  Facebook is a tool, when I use to connect with friends and family, gather new recipes or money saving coupons.  It’s a toy when I play a game, laugh at a funny post, or just relax.  It becomes a tangent, when I let it suck my time, read negative things, play games to much, or just spend time clicking because I’m procrastinating on other things.  I’ve learned to use my tiny iPhone screen as a weapon against Facebook tangents.  I only check specific pages, instead of trying to catch up with everything, like I do when I sit down to my computer. Many days I use it as only tool or toy, but tangents come along often enough. This is making me even more aware of the tangent usage. I plan to do that less.

Have a blessed day!

Book Review: A Change of Fortune


A Change of Fortune

This is a book review on AChange of Fortune by Jen Turano.  

This book had everything I enjoy in a novel; God, adventure, romance and humor.   I could not put it down. A lady down on her luck sets out to defend her family’s name and recover a lost fortune.  Lady Eliza Sumner left penniless, to follow her father’s former man of affairs and governess to America.  To find income and a place close to society she poses as a governess and gains employment.  She teams up with a mismatched group of people.  While she ends up in many difficult situations, she begins to fall in love with her rescuer, Beckett, and his children. The characters struggle with their relationships with God after dealing with harsh realities is life. 
This is a review copy from Bethany House Publishing Group.  I chose this book from a list as an item of interest.  I was not compensated and opinions are my own.