The Mansion by Beulah

When I was growing up and going to Beulah for camp we watched as someone began to build a mansion next door to Beulah.  The only way to get a look at this mansion has been lakeside, while we are sailing in my dad's boats.  The Beach had a really wonderful relationship with Mr. Brown, the owner of the mansion.  Mr. Brown was an inventor and invented the drop ceiling.  Last year he and his wife died from a  plane crash and now the mansion is for sale for $19.5 million.  I guess there are celebrities who might even be interested in the property. Anywho, the local Cleveland news ran a segment on the property.  It is difficult to explain but it is the strangest looking house? mansion? whatever.  Take a peek for yourself...



 

Fun at the Fair

Reasons to Smile

A Mess of Encouragement

These are photos of Miss Mustard Seed's office.  

YES!!  YES!!  YES!!

Opinions

One of my best girlies always tells me "Everyone has an opinion and most of them stink."  I need this tattooed on my wall.  I realize tattoo isn't the right word here but I like it.  It sounds good!  It seems that as people get older they feel the freedom to openly share their "wealth of knowledge."  In doing so, they have forgotten some the basic lessons of fact vs. opinion.  While the older generation is more wise. I seek wisdom...not necessarily opinions.  Maybe there is a fine line sometimes, on certain topics.  I don't know.  What do you think? 

I wonder what the Lord truly thinks about opinions.  I should do a study.  Off the cuff I would venture to say He would think opinions are too self-centered.  I am guilty of offering my unsolicited opinion.  However, I am becoming much more cognizant of opinions lately, so maybe the Lord is revealing another one of my flaws that needs submitted for refining.  Hmmm?  Don't you ever feel that way?  Something that is beginning to really eat at you, you realize you do it too?  It is partly why you notice it.  How do you balance an opinion with a preference?  Are they the same or different?  Can you have preferences without having opinions that can be hurtful or overbearing to others?  I think so.  Hmmmm?  Just food for thought. 

Proverbs 18:2
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Matthew 22:17-18
¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax^[a] to Caesar or not?”
¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

1 Kings 18:21
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
Romans 14:1
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Mark 12:14
And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.

Did I Mention...

My friend and I are trying our hands at a craft show.
It is this Saturday.
So...we have been "creating" all kinds of wonderful things.
More to come...
and say a prayer we aren't humiliated.
If we don't sell anything...
I've got Christmas covered!

Oh no...what did I just do!

I just joined Pinterest as an actual "identity" that can PIN, not just browse.  In order to do so, it seemed I had to rejoin the world of Facebook.  Oh no.....

Kosovo

Yesterday my mom invited us to have lunch with her, my dad, and the missionary who is staying with them during their church's missions conference.  Of course I said YES!!  There are soooo many wonderful benefits to homeschooling!  This morning before we left we looked up where Kosovo is on the map online because it wasn't on our school map.  We also read information about the country and then each of the girls prepared a list of questions they wanted to ask the missionary.  Missionaries have always had a very special place in my heart.  Growing up in the Christian & Missionary Alliance church, I have always been very aware of and had the privilege of meeting missionaries all my life.  Some of my favorite times were befriending MK's during the summers at Beulah and keeping in contact with them over the years.  Missionaries are like celebrities to me...heroes of the faith!  I took at least two missions courses in college and one of my favorite professors was a missionary.  Anywho, the missionary today, Jeff S., was so wonderful with the girls.  He has two girls of his own and both pretty much feel like Kosovo is their home.  They are home on furlough this year and specifically asked for us to pray they adjust to American schools.  Please say a prayer for them (Madison & Ryley) as they are both having some culture shock in the schools.  Here is what we learned today:

Kosovo declared itself an independent nation, although it isn't recognized by the United Nations as truly it's own country, in 2008.  It is primarily a Muslim country but the Muslims are nominally Muslim.  This means that much like many Americans would say they are Christian, they aren't.  There has in most recent years been pressure from the Arab Muslims to become more radical.  The flag has 6 stars which represent 6 different people groups within the country; Serbs, Albanians, gypsies, and 3 others I can't remember.  Christians make up 0.1% of the religious community.  Kosovo is about the size of Connecticut and has a population of 2,000,000 people.  The country is very poor although the Albanians are very willing to work, there is simply no work for them.  For being a primarily Muslim nation it is surprising to learn it is a European Parliament government and they have a woman President who is only 35 years old.  The family structure is relatively strong as 'western' ideas and morals (or should I say im-morals) haven't infiltrated their social systems.  There are so many children and lack of facilities that school-aged children attend school in 3.5 hour shifts beginning at 7:00 am and ending at 9:00 pm.  While in school for 3.5 hours they are in a very plain classroom with at least 30 other students.  They will have the same teacher from grades 1-5.  Teachers make roughly $190 a week.  Prices for goods and supplies are similar to America; however, it is very expensive to live.  Teachers only teach 1 shift per day and are allowed a 30 minute break and a 15 minute break at which point the students are completely unsupervised.  His children attend the Kosovar Public School for 3.5 hours but are also homeschooled by an American teacher when they are home.  Students must take slippers to wear at school and all of their supplies each day as they do not have their own space (i.e. locker, cubby, desk) at school since there will be another shift of students coming in after them.  The most common food is called Barouke' (sp???) which is basically sausage and cheese rolled in phyllo dough.  Sounds amazingly yummy doesn't it?  He said his children love it but he is thankful his wife is able to cook American!  He was 33 years old when they arrived in Kosovo, the girls only being 3 and 3 months old.  The language was very difficult to learn and while there is a team of 10 missionaries/international workers assisting them with the ministry in their town, he is the only male who can speak the language, leaving him to be the only one who can preach and teach.  Their platform to reach the community is a bookstore, internet/computer cafe & coffee shop where they offer English courses, computer courses, and other offerings as needed.  We were able to watch two videos featuring his daughters and you could tell they love their life.  He said they do not fear persecution at this point and feel it is completely safe for the children to freely play and enjoy their friends outside.

The whole afternoon was such a blessing!  I am really excited about next year and what we will be doing for our curriculum, My Father's World Exploring Countries & Cultures.  In this curriculum we will focus on geography, while also learning about missionaries spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  If you feel led, please pray for any missionaries you know personally and if you don't know any, please pray for all missionaries currently serving in the field.  I have missionary friends serving in Mali, China, South America, France, and Kazakhstan.  They need our prayer offerings for boldness and protection.  While praying, be sure to pray for yourself...that you would be a witness, full of boldness.

Hearty Butternut Squash Soup

I originally posted this recipe last fall.  I just made it again tonight and was reminded of how incredibly delicious and satisfying it is as I ate the whole entire batch (almost) by myself.  Last year the girls ate it right up but this year they decide they are going to puke if I make them eat one more bite.  Fine...find yourself a sandwich and hand it over!  YUM!!  Girls, or whoever is in blog world who listens to me, trust me....it is so incredible!!  Try it!!
~~~~~
Look below for the recipe...

1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lbs)

3 TB butter

1 med leek or sweet onion, chopped

1/2 tsp dried thyme

2 (14 oz) cans of chicken broth

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Toppings: bacon crumbles, sour cream, fresh thyme

Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds.  Place squash, cut sides down, in a microwave-safe dish.  Microwave at HIGH 7-10 minutes or until tender; cool.  Scoop out pulp, discarding shells.

Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium hear; add leek/onion and thyme.  Cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until caramel-colored and tender.  Add squash pulp and chicken broth; bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often.  Remove from heat; cool.

Process squash mixture in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  Return to Dutch over; stir in salt and pepper.  Cook 5 mintues or until thoroughly heated.  Serve with bacon and sour creams.  Garnish if desired.

**This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks!!  The funny thing is Kate wanted to buy this cookbook for my mom a few years ago while I was still working.  Guess where it was we went very often for dinner???  Anyhow, after I resigned to stay home, I asked my mom if I could borrow the cookbook.  Yep...I haven't given it back!  Sooooo many super yummy and easy recipes!!

Click here to link to Amazon to check it out for yourself.

Ravioli Recipe

I don't have the actual recipe but this is what I was told to do:

Layer some marinara sauce (after spraying the crockpot first)
Add in a layer of frozen ravioli
Add some shredded mozzerella
Add some marinara sauce
Keep layering depending on how much you need for your family.
Cook on low maybe for 4 hours.

All ingredients can be purchased at Aldi!  Cha-ching!

Update: Balsamic Chicken Recipe

I made the recipe I listed on the Crock Pot Gals post (below) for Balsamic Chicken.  Simple and delicious!  Once finished, I tossed it with bow tie pasta.  To add a little more pizaazz I stirred in some fresh spinach, which wilted on it's own, and topped with parm cheese on each individual serving.  However, it was also excellent with feta cheese too.  This would be really good using fresh herbs too.  Very versatile, very easy, very good!

New Vocabulary

Tonight Grandma had made dinner.  Manwich, baked beans & nacho chips.  After we were finished eating Anna told her, "Grandma, that was more than good, it was more than great, it was SARCASTIC!"  We all cracked up laughing!  She said, "I was just trying to use words I hear."  Hmmmm?  :)

Prayer

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, "Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?" They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn't want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, "This is our heating plant." Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon. ~ Our Daily Bread, April 24.

heed not thy feelings...

My friend posted the following on her blog:

"[God] changes not because thou changest. Nay, He has an especial tenderness of love towards thee for that thou art in the dark and hast no light, and His heart is glad when thou dost arise and say, 'I will go to my Father.' . . . Fold the arms of thy faith, and wait in the quietness until light goes up in thy darkness. Fold the arms of thy Faith I say, but not of thy Action: bethink thee of something that thou oughtest to do, and go to do it, if it be but the sweeping of a room, or the preparing of a meal or a visit to a friend. Heed not thy feelings: Do thy work." -george macdonald


The "Heed not thy feelings" part really, really struck a chord in me, an emotional gal, especially as of late.  


Lord, This is my prayer:

1. Take my life and let it be
   Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
   *Take my moments and my days,
   Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
   At the impulse of Thy love.
   Take my feet and let them be
   Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
   Always, only for my King.
   Take my lips and let them be
   Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
   Not a mite would I withhold.
   Take my intellect and use
   Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
   It shall be no longer mine.
   Take my heart, it is Thine own,
   It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
   At Thy feet its treasure store.
   Take myself and I will be
   Ever, only, all for Thee.

Habits

"The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she you lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children." ~ Charlotte Mason

Come Thou Fount

Be prepared to be blessed....