Trees. Strong Trees.

Life has been busy here in our home this month as we decorate, prepare surprises for one another, bake cookies and make plans with friends and neighbors. I am sure your family is occupied doing the same.

But during the busyness the Lord has encouraged us with more than one passage of Scripture. I would like to share one of those here. I hope you will be blessed...


GOD'S DESIGN FOR GROWING STRONG TREES

Psalm 1:1-3

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;"

Does this not relate to the topic of media that we have been considering? We have had to ask ourselves, who are those who provide the media we dine on? Are they the ungodly, the people dedicated to living in sin, the scornful?

We've discussed as a family how to apply this verse and what we would need to weed out. As we have shared the verses, the girls have joyfully embraced this weeding and they have determined that they want to keep media choices to their "best" list.



Right now they have determined that those include but are not limited to: The Miracle Maker on DVD, Cedermont Kids for the littles their Christian Science Videos (Moody Science, AIG and 4th Day Alliance). They have other "good" resources, but they are excited about keeping their choices to the best for now.

Ephesians 4:14 says: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" Children are easily influenced by others; easily deceived. So we must guard their hearts and minds.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in his law he meditates day and night."

We've been considering various ways that we can meditate on God's Word day and night~ and make it a delight! While we are not accomplishing this perfectly (and I mean not perfectly!), we have made some changes that are bringing us more in line with this verse.

During the day I have begun using a Kay Arthur study with the girls. I read the instruction from one book and they circle and underline the verses that are indicated. It is engaging and fun. I've tried Kay Arthur's kids version as well, but the adult study with all of us seems to work better for our family.

On the weekend nights when Tom is here, we've dusted off the old Family Life books. We've blindfolded little ones and tickled their noses with feathers to talk about having self control and played card games in which one person has a "helper" who can see the other cards they can't to talk about the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper.

In my sister's home next door, she is having her little ones listen to the Bible on audio with all the music and voices that go with it. Sounds fun.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

As Christian parents our greatest desire is to grow trees~ strong trees! Strong trees that bear fruit for the glory of God. But often the task seems daunting. In these verses God seems to lay out His plan for growing these strong trees. 1. Keep them from ungodly influences. 2. With delight, meditate on His Word day and night and 3. We will will grow strong trees that bear fruit in their season.

Hmmm... fruit would be nice here. : )





Blessings,



___________________

Photos: The girls set up, lit and decorated the tree all by themselves. They did a great job and freed Mama up to make homemade cocoa. It is a seasonal treat we love and really just takes a few minutes to make from scratch.

Our Favorite Hot Cocoa

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
Dash salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in saucepan; stir in water
2. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; boil and stir 2 minutes
3. Stir in milk and heat- do NOT boil
4. Remove from heat; add vanilla
5. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles~ enjoy!



Serves 6 (but we often double and save extra in the refrigerator)

Yummy Iced Coffee

The week is winding down, ready for a fun treat?

I started making iced coffee as a way to use left over coffee, but now I'll brew a fresh pot of coffee just to make these afternoon treats for friends (I noticed there was one in the pictures from Liz's birthday lunch).

They've been a recent hit over here!


Try:

• A glass of crushed ice
• Almost equal amounts of coffee and half and half~ I usually just pour them into the glass at the same time~ adding a bit more coffee than cream)
• A dash of Real Vanilla extract~ about a teaspoon
  
• And a Tablespoon of sugar to sweeten

Serve with a straw so it can be stirred as needed.


Yummy!

Faithie's Peanut Butter Cookies

After posting about vintage milk bottles, we received a request from Kendra's mom for Faith's cookie recipe! Faith is very pleased to oblige.

Faith triples the batch and takes a bit of creative license. This recipe is based on her alterations.

We hope you enjoy!



FAITHIE'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Adapted from the Better Homes Red and White checked cookbook*



Oven 375
Bake: 7-9 minutes per batch


Triple batch

1 ½ c. butter
1 c. peanut butter
1 ½ c. granulated sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. honey
1 ½ t. baking soda
1 ½ t. baking powder**
3 egg
2 t. vanilla
4 c. all purpose flour

granulated sugar


1.In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high for at least 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Beat in the egg and vanilla till combined. Beat in the flour. She uses a kitchen aid mixer so she is able to add all the flour without stiring by hand.
2.Shape dough into 1 inch (or larger) balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten by making criss cross marks with the tines of a fork. Bake in 375 degree oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove cookies from oven. After about 30 seconds transfer cookies to cooking rack or waxed paper to cool.




* we've omitted the options that we don't use (ie. margarine)
** When we have trouble getting our cookies to puff up we will either replace our baking powder (if it's a little aged it doesn't seem to work as well) or add more baking powder.