God's love is sometimes hard on us.

Today was a special day!! It is Sunday and I am able to worship my Lord without fear of persecution.

That being said, I have a confession to make. I think sometime we may forget all the freedoms we do have in this great nation. The freedom-To worship!! I know I have succeeded in this department, the forgetting part. 

There are times when I go about my day just doing. I personally get caught up in the days attire and lose track of what I have to be thankful for. Beginning 2

weeks ago, our second car blew up. Now we own one car with no tags or insurance. We can't get tags or insurance because my husband was laid off for 4 months and we are now just getting the car payed up- so all our money goes to that plus bills. This past week we have had my daughter step on a nail- looks infected, and 4 people in our family have a 24-48 hour flu. Not good. Then.. today, everything was going smooth. However, the last 15 minutes before church brought on extreme  stress.  I could not find anything, I mean NOTHING, my 9 month old could wear. No pants, no matching socks, no shirt, absolutely no shoes. You at least had to have a matching pair of shoes to go to church in, right?! On top of that 3 more children I tried to scurry to the car, {yes

a car for 6 people} I think they got the point, eventually.  Well, I prayed and prayed for God to make everything go smoother. At least for today. Eventually, I found my son an outfit, at the bottom of the CLEAN clothes pile, {they don't fold themselves or skip to the drawer and jump in neatly folded} put them on him, and off we went to church. We were 5 minutes late to church- but hey!!! We made it!! The rest of the day went smooth. With the exception

Of my husband- he not so good. My medical expertise says he has an ear infection or strep throat. But he's the kind that will not go to the hospital over a little pain and fever. Even if it means infecting others. :( But, bless him he puts our care and needs over his own. Anyways, point being, I have a God to worship. I God that loves us enough to fill our life with crazy moments like today and this 2 weeks to test us. It's like he's saying "Hey, I am right here. All you have to so is ask for help."  And when I did ask for help he came-

He gave us the opportunity to drive to our church revival and he let my family get well. Now, we are waiting on my husband to feel better and this newly gel formed earache of mine to heal. But God is there and he will help us through.. Faith is all we need. 

Here is a couple pictures of the kids in church today:) 

Momma

Yes it is true!! My little one said his first word:) Momma!! One proud Mom!!!

Homemaker's Prayer and the things I am thankful for

I love this Homemakers Prayer- and it is so very true!





It caused me to wake up in a happy thankful spirit!

Because.. I have

~a husband to wake up to

~children to raise

~a church to worship in

~a family

~a nice comfortable waterbed to sleep in 

~an awesome HOT shower to enjoy 

~body wash, shaving cream, razor, shampoo, and conditioner, to use

~makeup to put on

~hair products to use

~clean clothes to put on

~food to prepare and eat

~a house to tidy

~dishes to wash 

~a floor to sweep, vacuum, or mop

~windows to look out of and admire Gods creation

I have been blessed! 

DIY and Frugal Tip 1: Liquid Dish Soap

I hardly ever buy brand name household products. I find it much cheaper to make my own.  

Here is a DIY *PH* household cleaner.

Liquid Dishsoap

Ingredients:

-1 ½ cup of hot water

-½ cup liquid castile soap 

-1 tablespoon of white vinegar

-1 tablespoon of Arm&Hammer’s Super Washing Soda

-1 tablespoon of shredded bar soap, such as homemade lye soap or any other kind would be fine

-1/8 teaspoon of tea tree oil or other natural oil (I usually add seasonal oils- like peppermint or pumpkin)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl. Pour in 1 1/2 cup of very hot water. Whisk/stir this mixture until bar of soap is completely melted and all ingredients are blended.

2. Allow mixture to cool completely, stirring occasionally.

3. Store in any dish soap dispensing bottle and enjoy.

Character Traits of a Godly Homemaker

Character Traits of a Godly Homemaker

As a woman trying to do God's will, I strive to go beyond my own abilities and duties in order to do my job well. I believe it is my responsiblity, as a homemaker, to manage my families time and values as fit unto The Lord. I also seek to fill my home with feminine touchs and warmth. Making a home beautiful, comfortable, fragrance filled is a major step to proper home management. I also seek to honor and uphold my role as homemaker by keeping a clean and safe environment for my family.

1. Goes beyond her duty to do the job well.
Ecc. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

2. Is a wise manager of her families time and value.
Prov. 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her houshold, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

3. Her homemaking is filled with feminine touches.
Prov. 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry.

4. Adds warmth to her household.
Prov. 16:24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

5. She honors her role in the home.
Titus 2:3-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The Godly Woman as A Wife is very good article/ lesson plan on what a Godly woman should do in her everyday walk. It gives you some activities to do each day to better help you serve your husband. Enjoy:)

*PH* Look-Out 1: Meal Plan

Ok, It is true!! I love to cook!!! I love to just toss spices in a crock pot or pan and savor the smell of my creations.. For example, this week we have had homemade...

        Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

             Beef crock pot stir-fry

                           And 

     Chicken Noodle and Potato Soup

However, I have this need or more like want for a set meal plan.. One that I can set up in an hour and go.. or more like, one that is already made up and all I have to do is follow it. Honestly, with 6 people in your home, you need it. 

Honestly, I have tried hundreds of meal plans and have not made it past the second week on any single one. To much? To lazy? To much preparation? Who knows, it just doesn't work in our home. So I am on the search to find a great blog that helps with my kinds of people- ones that need a little help in the meal planning process. And a little help would be nice.. :)

What I am searching for is...

One that has healthy food  

One that doesn't take a lot of money to keep up with- food wise. 

One that is weekly or monthly. 

One that is fun to cook. We do have children that are eager to help out.:) 

So you have a favorite meal plan?

What about a favorite dish?

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Today was my first day making this yummy Cinnamon Streusel Muffin.. It didn't rise as much as I would have liked. However, the taste of it made me care less. This muffin was like true divine mixing of ingredients! It literally feel apart in my mouth!!

Topping
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional; for added cinnamon flavor

3 tablespoons soft butter

filling

Filling

3 to 4 tablespoons water

3 tablespoons melted butter, 

1/2 cup brown sugar,

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 

Batter

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, melted

3/4 cup lukewarm milk

2 large eggs

1 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Good pinch of ground allspice

Good pinch of cinnamon 

1/2 cup cinnamon chips or butterscotch chips

glaze

2/3 cup confectioners' sugar

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon milk, or enough to make a pourable glaze

I used Carmel 

1) Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake papers, or grease it lightly.

2) Prepare the topping by mixing the ingredients together until crumbly. Set aside.

3) Prepare the filling by mix together all of the ingredients. Set aside.

4) To make the batter: In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the melted butter, milk, and eggs.

5) In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including the chips.

6) Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined.

7) Divide half the batter evenly among the muffin cups; a tablespoon cookie scoop works well.

8) Dollop 2 teaspoons cinnamon filling onto each muffin; a teaspoon cookie scoop, filled level, works well here.

9) Top with the remaining batter.

10) Sprinkle generously with the topping, pressing it in lightly.

11) Bake the muffins for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they're golden brown.

12) Remove the muffins from the oven, and wait 5 minutes before transferring them from the pan to a rack to cool.

13) To make the glaze: Mix the glaze ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled muffins.