Hearts in Service

I found a recipe for albondigas soup and tried it today. It is a Mexican soup made with meatballs and various vegetables. It was excellent and good enough that I thought I'd share the recipe. Ingredients * 2 Tbsp olive oil * 1 large onion, chopped * 1 large garlic clove, minced * 3 quarts of chicken stock or beef stock * 1/2 cup of tomato sauce * 1/2 lb of string beans, strings and ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces * 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced * 1/3 cup of raw white rice * 1 pound ground beef * 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves * 1/4 cup of chopped parsley * 1 raw egg * 1 & 1/2 teaspoon salt * 1/4 teaspoon black pepper * A dash of cayenne (optional) * 1 & 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh peas * 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, crumbled, or 1 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano * Salt and pepper * 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed pot (5-qt) over medium heat. Add onion an...

Dan came running in the house last night and told me to get my camera. Right above the house was a double rainbow. A beautiful reminder of how God keeps His promises.

My mother and I are probably as different as night and day. We don't have the same views on just about everything - politics, child-rearing, sometimes life in general! This can cause sparks at times. Okay, A LOT! :-) There have been times when we have inadvertently hurt each other by our words. However, I can ALWAYS rely on her. I know she loves me. I know that she will defend me. I know that she will defend my children. I only get to see her about once a year, but I can pick up the phone and share my joys with her and I can share my heartbreak with her any time of the day or night. In both cases, she feels my happiness and my pain. I don't always tell her how I feel. For some reason it is hard for me to open up and tell her how much I love her. I think at times she doubts my love because we disagree on so many issues. However, I love her with all my heart. I'm glad that she is my mother. She raised three children by herself, and though she doesn't think s...

I have so many things that make me feel warm, comfortable and peaceful. There are too many to list here, but here are a few. Warm cookies from the oven. Watching my children enjoy God's creation. Autumn decorations. Time spent with family. Walking in the great outdoors. What are some of your favorite things?

I have a child who can read very well, but chooses to read thin, easy books. However, it has been very satisfying to me as a parent to suddenly see her interest level change and see her start to read very challenging books. Especially when she is flying through them!

"If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." ~ Corrie ten Boom Discouragement.   Anxiety over the future.   Anger over circumstances.      Defeat.   So many times lately I have given in to these emotions. Our future seems so uncertain at times and it's hard to see the forest because of the trees.   However, we believe that God has a plan for us.  We have seen God work in wonderful ways over the past few years.  We trust Him and know He is has His best for us.  However those same emotions take hold at times.   Discouragement. Anxiety over the future. Anger over circumstances. Defeat.   Yet, even in the midst of these swirling emotions, I know that God gives us what we can handle. If we are walking in His way and keeping our eyes on Him, He will provide a way. There are many valleys and shadows in our lives. There are times when things seem bleak and overgrown with weeds. ...

Emily has been asking for a swing ever since we moved here. Finally, a kind older brother helped her out by making one which quickly broke. Then he decided to make another one by throwing a rope over a tree and tying a knot at the bottom. It's not pretty, nor comfortable. However, she LOVES it! She has spent hours out there swinging back and forth. The more I watch her, the more I wish I was 11 years old and carefree!

Mother Teresa ~ "I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much."

Everywhere I looked today, I saw beauty. It was in the roses in my garden. Plants loaded with yellow mums. Hay bales in the field. A swinging girl. And a gorgeous sunset. I'm so thankful that I stopped and took notice.

We rush through our days, brushing pass one another on our way from one event to the other. At the end of some days it feels like the only thing I've done is bark orders at the children or scold them for something they've done or not done. Now that I'm working and school has started, this seems to be magnified. One of the reasons I love getting out in the woods and hiking with the kids is that it gives me an opportunity to reconnect with them. The fresh air and quiet woods seem to be a catalyst to communication. They tell me about school and the ways they are struggling. They share their concerns. They also share their dreams and hopes. They tell me about their passions. I feel encouraged when they tell me how much they love our family. I find out that one feels like he finally belongs and is gaining large amounts of self-confidence. Another shares his desire for the future and college. My youngest just chatters happily and talks about her days and all the things she...

Last night I sat down to make some fall cards and realized that it was the first time in about 6 weeks that I've done anything crafty. Whenever I start to do something creative, I find myself relaxing. It is a great way to relieve stress! I finished four cards and hope to do some more tonight. Ignore the strip of wet glue on this one. It dried without the streak. This ended up being my favorite. Now I just have to catch up on my correspondence!

On Saturday, I put aside housecleaning and cooking and laundry in order to fulfill my children's desire to go hiking. As I walked through the woods, I could feel the stress and tension going out of me. Spending time outdoors in the quiet woods always leaves me a little in awe at God's wonderful creation. Thin, silver lines designed perfectly. A magical hideaway. Majestic trees reaching for the heavens. Sun dappled leaves. An unexpected meadow in the midst of thick forest. Fungus clinging tightly to trees. Warm sunshine peaking between the trees. A quiet oasis. The best creation of all....precious children made in his image.