A Quiet Life

Its been a few days since I've posted! I've actually got a little list of topics I'd like to post about, but whenever I get the time, the ambition is lacking. Interestingly, this verse has been circling around in my head lately, and I think its part of the reason I'm feeling quiet:

But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you...

1 Thessalonians 4:10-11

So please forgive me for not having much to say for a little while. I'm entering a bit of a quiet period, and focusing on attending to my own business of ministry to the ones the Lord has entrusted me.

Wordless Wednesday - Pure Sweetness!

My Mission Field

This is the Above Rubies e-mail devotion for this week. I found it very encouraging, so I wanted to share! I know I've said it before, but if you don't receive the Above Rubies magazine, or the email devotions, you are really missing out on a blessing! Information on how to subscribe is at the bottom of the devotion - they're both free!

MY MISSION FIELD

Matthew 9:37-38, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

Do you sometimes hanker to be doing some great work for God? You feel as though you are wasting your life in your home. You would love to serve the Lord in some harvest field. Yes, it is true, the harvest is great and the laborers are few. But why are they few? Because mothers have not understood God's purpose.

Are you looking for an easy path in life in life or do you have a heart to serve God as a missionary? Dear mother, you are already a missionary. God has chosen your specific mission field for you. It is your home and family. You are employed by God to train laborers for His harvest field. You don't raise children and then send them to Bible College to prepare for service. You train them for God's service from the time they are little. They should be ready to labor in the harvest field when they come forth from your home.

Is a missionary's work easy? No, it takes sacrifice. Is motherhood easy? No, but it will be worthwhile. It takes everything you've got--all your resources of time, energy and strength--but you will influence nations. It takes sacrifice--many mothering days are exhausting and overwhelming--but you will receive the fruit of your labors and an eternal reward. It will take committed prayer and intercession, but your prayers will be answered. Remember, you are not on vacation; you are on the mission field!

Maybe God has only given you one laborer to prepare for Him--that His is plan for you. Maybe he has given you six, or even twelve! Wow, would twelve be too many? Jesus trained twelve disciples who impacted the world. How would you like to train laborers who "turn the world upside down"?

What kind of laborers does God want us to faithfully prepare for His service? The following is my vision for our children, grandchildren and future generations. I believe He wants us to prepare children who are...

Baby lovers
Blessing imparters
Bible believers
Bible obeyers
Committed laborers in God's harvest
Courageous overcomers
Demon destroyers
Diligent workers
Evil haters
Faithful servers
Fearless soldiers
Freedom fighters
Fruit bearers
God fearers
God lovers
God pleasers
God worshippers
Gospel preachers
Holy Spirit empowered witnesses
Israel supporters
Jesus fanatics
Life choosers
Light shiners
Liberal threateners
Obedient listeners
Parent honorers
Persecution endurers
Prayer warriors
Responsible citizens
Righteousness lovers
Sharp arrows
Tomorrow's leaders
Truth bearers
Truth keepers
Truth lovers
Truth preservers
Truth seekers
Truth speakers
Uncompromising disciples
Valiant conquerors
Zealous servants of the Living God!

Wow! Can you imagine anything more exciting and fulfilling that raising laborers such as these? You couldn't have a greater mission field or a greater vision.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER: "Thank you, Lord, for showing me my mission field. Help me to serve you faithfully and to raise prepared laborers for your great harvest field. Lord, I am open for you to give me all the laborers you have planned for me to train. Amen."

AFFIRMATION: I am a full-time missionary, recruiting and training laborers for God's harvest field.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

Gratitude

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

46. My rocking chair, given as a gift, which has rocked night after night for 9 years while I've snuggled my little ones

47. Laughter

48. The joy of rediscovering God's creation through the eyes of a baby

49. Provision

50. Wonderful women I am blessed to know

51. His life-giving Word

52. The energy of children


53. Other's creativity, making the world beautiful

54. Good books to read

55. Time to read good books

For more of my gratitude list, please go here. Think about starting your own list of things you are thankful for!

The Truth

This is an excellent video. I know, I know... its 7 minutes long! But surely while you're browsing facebook or other blogs, you can keep this open and listen to it ;-)

The New Look!

As you can tell, things have changed around here (yet again...!)! I mentioned previously that I was blessed to win a giveaway from Tonya at Safe in HIS Arms for a blog makeover by The Design Girl. This is the result of her hard work!

I love it - its so perfectly "me"! Danielle (the Design Girl) was great to work with, especially considering that I am clueless when it comes to digital design stuff - she was patient and helpful, and worked SUPER fast to get things done. If you're ever considering a professional blog makeover, I would recommend her in a heartbeat!

Thank you Tonya, for the giveaway, and for Danielle, for the awesome work!!

A Song for Saturday

Another great song off of the Glory Revealed album. This one is my favorite! It is based on Romans 11:33-36:

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things
To Him be the glory forever.
Amen."

Who could hold the wealth of God?
Such treasure found in Him
Who could comprehend His heart and mind?
His wisdom has no end

For from Him, through Him, to Him are all things
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things

To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen
To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen

Who has known the mind of God?
Who has counseled Him?
Who has given gifts to God
That He might be repaid?

For from Him, through Him, to Him are all things
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things

To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen
To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen

In dark and light, in death and life
When hard times enter in
In all things we will worship You
With You there is no end

To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen
To You be the glory, forever
To You be the glory, Lord, amen

For from Him, through Him, to Him are all things
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things

Homeschooling Humor

Meatloaf and Mac N' Cheese

Yes, that's really what this post is about! I rarely ever share recipes - cooking is not my forte and is something I'm working on my attitude about. I tend to get overwhelmed over menu planning, grocery list making, grocery shopping, and food prep in general. However, I am a "work in progress" in this area and know that good food is not only a blessing to those whom I serve, but a necessity! So I need to get over my attitude and decide to find joy in it :-)

Here's a meal that we love, and is super, super easy to throw together.

Meatloaf:
2 lbs ground beef (I actually use ground turkey because its usually cheaper)
1.5 cups Stove Top Stuffing
2 eggs
1.5 tsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos (yummy!)
dried onion, garlic powder, and salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together, place in a greased loaf pan. Cook at 350 for an hour or until no longer pink. Some might like it topped with tomato sauce or ketchup, we don't. If you do, pour some on top before cooking.

Macaroni and Cheese:
(I found this recipe at A Year of Slowcooking, check it out for more great Crockpot recipes!)
1/2 lb uncooked macaroni noodles - I use whole wheat
4 cups milk
1 egg
4 cups shredded cheese (I use entirely sharp cheddar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried mustard

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. In mixing bowl, whip egg and milk together. Stir in spices. Add cheese and noodles, stir well. Pour into crockpot, cook on high for 1-3 hours, or low for 2-5. It can get a little mushy, so check it on occasion. Delicious and so easy!!

We like to steam some broccoli or brussel sprouts to go along with it. It makes a yummy, easy-to-make meal! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - When 2-Year-Olds Dress Themselves