I came across a post on a popular blog back in early November from a “Mommy blogger” that was basically about other such bloggers and their proclamations of their (assumed) perfection. Although the words in the writer’s heart may have been coming from a good place- and maybe our end goal is the same, I found the post to be a little concerning to me as it seemed to perpetuate what a lot of women seem to struggle with- comparison.

She wrote, “… sometimes it makes me feel stressed. You know? Like I’ll never measure up. Or that I’m totally and completely under the pile.”

However, more personally unsettling were the comments that followed. Comment after comment after comment telling this woman that they felt the same way – all from Christian sisters! I was losing so much hope while reading them that I almost closed the post. But then, there it was…

“The perception that these bloggers are proclaiming they are “Super” is defeating for me as a blogger. By sharing my successes I am not proclaiming that I am perfect or better than anyone else. It is meant as an encouragement to the end result. As readers we are aware that their lives are not perfect, and they are not claiming that, so why are we allowing Satan to turn these words of encouragement into feelings of condemnation. Feeling defeated rather than encouraged b/c someone has accomplished something we haven’t or gotten to a place that we are not is destructive. We need to cast these feelings out, and we need to be encouraged that so many women have these successes in their lives. Because even if we’re not there yet, it is possible, and they are proof of that!!!”

This commenter went on to say, “as mothers who inevitably face “failures” every day we come into it with our defenses up and see other mom’s triumphs as judgements of our failures. We forget that “In Christ there is no condemnation.” Whatever feelings of defeat, guilt, or pain we have are attacks from the enemy. We need to remember that God can use these other women to reveal to us the areas of ourselves that need work and change. We don’t have to hold up to the world’s view of perfect, but as Christians we have the freedom to be perfect in our own design through His power.”

This struck a chord with me and I tracked this person down to find out who she was. Turns out, her name is Krista and you can find her over at The Mommy Calling. I got to chat with her a smidge via Facebook and she’s a real sweetheart.

The point that she was making and that I’m trying to make myself is that we, as Christian sisters, need to stop putting up our defenses and start loving! Start learning from one another, stop judging one another! It seems there is a very popular yet dangerous culture among Christian women that states, “If another Christian woman is succeeding in an area where I may not be, then that woman MUST be judging me and trying to make me feel bad about myself.” Why do we do this as sisters? Why do we allow this lie from the enemy to creep into our minds?

If I read a blog post about a mom who has saved hundreds of dollars a month on her groceries, my first thought is not going to be, “Oh, well she’s just trying to show off” or “she MUST be failing in some other area of her life if she’s spending that much time on that” or “I can’t ever tell her what I spend a month- she’d think I was a poor steward of my money”. My thoughts would be: “Good for her! I should find out how she does it!” or “I don’t really feel led to do that, but good for her!” We should simply take it for what it is- either we can learn from it or we celebrate their accomplishment without feeling the need to be the same.

It is one of my greatest prayers that sisters in Christ can become more unified and loving- lifting one another up rather than tearing down!

I’m so blessed to have a handful of close friends in my life with whom I can share triumphs and struggles and never ever be judged or compared to. They would never even consider that idea of me judging them or trying to make them feel poorly about themselves just because I’m doing something differently than they are. We love each other! These women exemplify what it means to be sisters in Christ and I can’t imagine my life without them!

So I want to simply encourage any who read this- think the best in others! Don’t make assumptions about what they must think of you just because you’re different! And certainly don’t feel that blog posts written by Spiritually-healthy women are ever trying to “show you up”, “put you down”, or anything else of the sort.  Let’s be an example to the worldly women with our love for one another!

We had been on a new mission from God for about a year and a half and it seemed like things were coming crashing down around us. We were confused about what was next for us. It was a trying and difficult time waiting on the Lord for the revelation of His plans- and even when it was clear what we were to do next, some fear and anxiety accompanied our obedience. In many ways, He was calling us to our Ninevah. But when you’ve made a choice to live for the Lord and not make decisions based on selfish desires, you must do what He asks- no matter what.

So we did.

And we see His hand in the choices we’ve made.

But it’s also been hard.

Very hard at times.

But my comfort comes from Him alone.

He alone knows what my family has been through and He alone knows the plans He has for us.

In the past, I’ve selected a “word for the year” which helped me focus in on what I felt He was teaching me at those times. But this year, I’m choosing a phrase.

“He knows.”

He knows my heart.

Even when others don’t.

He knows what I’m facing.

Even when others don’t.

He knows the future.

Even when it seems dim and distant.

I don’t know about you, but that gives me such a great comfort. Whenever I feel like I’m up against the world, I rest in the fact that He knows all.

“For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”

1 John 3:20 Message

I blogged last year about their Forgotten Christmas campaign and I thought I’d re-post it as a reminder of where our focus should be as Christians this time of year. Let’s fight the urge to be “of the world” and do something  that could change the world!

***

Originally posted November 20, 2010

This summer, I saw an ad on the sidebar of biblegateway.com for a free book on world missions by Gospel for Asia founder, K.P.Yohannan- Revolution in World Missions. Since this is something God has been putting on my heart more and more lately, and I’m all for free stuff, I ordered one. I started reading it… and couldn’t put it down. It was the first book I’ve ever read all in one day! WOW! Definitely in my top 5 faves books of all time- what an eye-opener! If you’ve ever wondered to yourself, “Why doesn’t God do the kind of miracles He did in the Bible in our age now?” then you MUST get this book to see what kind of crazy stuff He’s doing right now! You can get your own free copy on their website or by clicking the link below.

I quickly fell in love with Gospel for Asia and all they do to spread the Word of God. While searching their site, I came across their Christmas gift catalog (full of ways to support their… rather, OUR…mission of spreading the Gospel) and their campaign called “Forgotten Christmas”. In reading through the catalog, I couldn’t help but think about what kind of sacrifices I’m making to spread to Gospel around the world. And I couldn’t help but think about challenging my friends in the faith to examine what they’re sacrificing as well. I couldn’t sleep that night- I kept going over the costs of the items in their catalog vs. the costs of items that we Americans don’t typically blink an eye at. I started scribbling a list and below is a cost comparison that I’ve come up with. I know everyone reading this can sacrifice something on this list (or hopefully more than one!!) this Christmas or this coming year in order to give a gift to someone in the name of Jesus who may have never literally even heard the name before.

Which will you choose?

$11- pair of chickens….or a stuffed animal

$55- pair of pigs…. or a haircut at a salon

$460- water buffalo…. or a wedding cake

$11- rabbits… or a car wash

$18- fishing nets…. or a new dvd

$30- Biosand water filter…. or a birthday cake

$1,000- Jesus well…. or a new tv

$10- mosquito net…. or a pizza

$40- winter clothes for a missionary…. or a pair of new jeans

$5- blanket…. or a fast-food meal

$75- Widows and Abandoned Childrens Fund…. or an mp3 player

$28/month- sponsor a child…. or a texting plan

$85-115- sewing machine…. or a satellite radio receiver kit

$137- weaving loom…. or a Kindle

$155- embroidery machine…. or a new cell phone

$375- cow…. or a new video game system

$65- lamb…. or a new pair of shoes

$120- pair of goats…. or a night on the town

$115- a pulling cart…. or a gps

$110- a bike for a missionary…. or a new purse

$1200- a motorcycle for a missionary…. or a laptop

$133- a rickshaw…. or a camera

$30/month- support a national missionary…. or soccer lessons

$30- vocational training…. or a Christmas tree

$80- tools…. or a massage

$17,000- heavy duty vehicle for a missionary…. or your 2nd or 3rd car

$345- a camel…. or a patio furniture set

$40- radio…. or a mani/pedi

$45-180- radio programming…. a video game or manual treadmill

$25- lantern…. or a dozen roses

$60- pay phone…. or a tank of gas

$375- mobile address system…. or 1 day at Disney for a family of 4

$25- Women’s Literacy Fund…. or a Halloween costume

$1- 200 Gospel tracts…. or a box of candy

$3-4- Bibles…. or a cup of coffee

$22- instruments…. or cable/month

$11,000- a church building…. or a wave runner

$1,800- a generator…. or a vacation

$5- VBS materials…. or a large candle

$105- LED lights…. or an NFL game ticket

$1,750- LCD projector…. or a diamond ring

http://forgottenchristmas.org

“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”

Luke 6:26

“Our grandmothers lived in a circle small enough to let them implement in action most of the impulses of their hearts and minds. We were brought up in a tradition where that has now become impossible for we have extended our circle throughout space and time.”

*Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (written in 1955)

***

I first read this quote a couple of years ago and it rings in my mind regularly. Especially when I’m on Facebook.

I find Facebook to be this conundrum that I’ve yet to meet someone who has it figured out. It has an undefined purpose which, even if one individual is able to define, varies to the next. Is it for keeping in touch with old friends? Is it for networking/exploring your field of expertise or passion? Is it for keeping track of the latest news (or gossip)? Is it for small business promotion? Is it for inspiring others? Is it just because I’m procrastinating doing something else?

 Personally, in my life, I don’t deal well with things that remain undefined for any amount of time. I’m much more at peace when I’m able to define my decisions and then proceed to live by them. It feels like I’m less likely to wander off focus with how God is calling/commanding me to live when things are well defined.

In recent years He’s been working on me big time- renewing my mind, refining my purpose, fulfilling His callings, and revealing new journeys. But my use of Facebook remains one of the areas that I’ve yet to get a good understanding of.

What is it’s purpose for me individually?

It’s been a blur until now but after discussions with my husband and lots of prayer, I’ve decided that for me, Facebook is:

*a reflection of my community- not my community itself

*a place for me to interact with personal friends whom I’m unable to see in person at all or regularly

*a place for me to feel safe and loved

*a place where I can learn from the wisdom of those whom inspire me

*a place for me to share love and wisdom with others whom I may inspire

How can I allow this to happen?

I need a smaller circle.

I don’t know if it’s God’s design for us to interact in some capacity with 500+ “friends” on any given day. Yes, Jesus spoke to the masses, but we cannot compare such situations. Jesus did not have a relationship with each individual- he had close relationships with 12… a small circle.

I’m not saying I’m cutting back to 12 friends nor am I saying that my current or future Facebook friends are my disciples. I’m just desiring a smaller circle.

That being said, some of my 500+ “friends” are going to have to be “unfriended”. I despise that terminology because in an ideal world I’d love to be able to track the lives of every person who has ever come into mine! But I don’t feel that is the design of life. I feel some people are with us for a season and some are with us forever and it doesn’t make one person more valuable than the other. But I wanted to put my thoughts into words so that no feelings would be hurt by my massive cutbacks. I’m glad to have known every single person I’m Facebook friends with and am thankful for their contribution to my life. I can only pray I contributed a little something to each of theirs as well.

<3

…will you join me?

You can read about her journey and the impact she’s made in this world in her 4 months of life thus far HERE.

So I mean, who doesn’t love ice cream cake!?!

What if I said you could have HEALTHY ice cream cake?!?!

That’s what I’m talking about!

This has been our go-to cake for my husband’s birthday for years and is one of our fave treats.

And it’s E A S Y!

Whip up some homemade whipped cream with raw cream and a touch of raw honey and pour over a stack of organic ice cream sandwiches (you could go even healthier and make your own). For this one, we had some yummy homemade ice cream in the freezer as well so we put some of that as a middle layer. So you can’t see it very well in the picture but it was ice cream cake, homemade ice cream, ice cream cake, whipped cream. Pop it in the freezer for a few hours to harden the whipped cream and….

D O N E!

Love this!

This may seem like normal child’s play for some, but not in our home. We do not glorify darkness and therefore we do not celebrate such things as ghosts, witches, vampires, and the like. We’ve talked about this in the past with our children but our son must have forgotten. I said, “J, remember we don’t pretend we’re ghosts.” He answered with the standard child answer of, “Why?”

I reminded him that we are to glorify God in all that we do and if something is not glorifying then we should question why we’re doing it. I told him that when we play pretend ghosts (or anything of that nature) that we are glorifying the darkness in the world and that pleases Satan and not God. He was satisfied with our discussion and asked if he could go play some more.

A few minutes later, my husband and I overheard him pretending to be an angel telling his sister that a book he was giving her was the Bible and that she needed to go teach people about the word of God.

Wow.

God-glorifying play.

All it took was one little correction to get them on the right track. And we think our young children are incapable of such understanding?

We often think, talk, and teach about glorifying God in all that we do but do we really mean it? We often simply say it in terms of our attitudes in going to work, our interactions with others, etc. But do we find so unclear about the word “ALL”? Doesn’t play/pretending fall into that category?

If we’re not glorifying God in ALL that we do, then what are we doing? Praise God for lessons from children!

“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

But how often do we think about being good stewards of our children?

I challenge all of us to look at our children not as our own, but as God’s creations (which they are!) whom He has providentially placed in our families in our homes at this time and in this place. Are we glorifying Him with the choices we make in their lives? Or are there areas in which we have not yet fully submitted to fact they do not belong to us?

Food for thought today…

I feel like I should bust into song (ok, maybe I already am…) “Mish mash I was taking a bath, long about a Saturday night…” Haha!

SOOOO not on topic but a rhyme is a rhyme!

OK, back on track:

I was picking my dairy up from the lady’s home who organizes our Amish herd-share and I had a question for her so I had to knock on her door (normally I just help myself to my things in her garage). When she came to the door an amazing aroma embraced me! I went in to discuss the matter at hand and her husband showed me what she was making and offerred a taste. WOW. It was sooooo delicious! He explained that it was a dish called Mish Mash and was a traditional Bulgarian recipe (a country where they were missionaries for years). When I got back into the car, my children could smell it on me and begged to know what it was! I told them and that I’d try to make it soon and they were excited!

So tonight was the night! It turned out SO great that I just had to share!

Here’s how you can try it for yourself:

3 organic tomatoes-diced

3 organic red peppers-diced

1 organic onion-diced

a couple of tablespoons coconut oil

Mix in a large pan on medium to high heat until tomatoes begin to break down.

Scramble 3 pastured eggs in a bowl and mix in while stirring continuously.

Add 1 container of feta cheese in and stir well.

Add a little salt and pepper to taste. I also added some cayenne pepper to add some kick because I believe my friend had a few hot peppers in hers and I just loved the extra spice!

Let it reduce a little bit and the liquid color is a nice bright orangey-red.

SO good and an awesome way to fill your tummy (and those you love) with veggies!

Enjoy!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/mish-mash/feed/ 0 mamastoff 100_6775 http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/one-less/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/one-less/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:59:54 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3494 ]]>

I recently read this quote and it really hit me hard. For many years I’ve had a stirring in my heart to do something(which I’ll get to in a minute) and something has always held me back. But this quote shook me somewhat. Is my greatest fear actually that I am inadequate? Or is my greatest fear that I am powerful beyond measure (because I have Jesus living in, with, and through me)? To be perfectly honest, the latter is much more frightening!

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the good news will ever know what it means to really live.” Mark 8:35

What does it look like to give my life away?

This has been the question in my mind for quite some time. Ironically (which, let’s be honest- is another term for God’s plan!!), the other thing that’s been on my mind here and there for years had begun to stir in my heart once again. Sounded like God to me.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27

After many conversations with the hubby, much prayer, and some initial research- all the while getting green lights, we’ve made a decision.

See, about 2 years ago this month, God spoke very clearly to me that we would have another child (at least…maybe more). At the time, I really wanted to get pregnant and thought (hoped) that’s what He meant. And I hoped it meant soon. But, looking back at that day, I remember there being a little hint of “but maybe not be through you”. I tried to not pay that part much attention at the time but now I can’t help but piece that and how I’m feeling right now together.

The thing that God has been leading us to pursue is the adoption of 2 children from Haiti.

We have not yet applied, because we currently are unable. At the time, we do not meet the age requirement and length of marriage requirement from their government. However, there is a new president taking office in the new year and there has been talk that adoption laws will be one of the first things to be revised…supposedly for the better- allowing us to apply much earlier than we would otherwise be able.

So… we need your prayers.

Will you join us in this journey by offerring up your prayers on the behalf of the children in Haiti who have no Mommies or Daddies? And for families like ours who would love to open up loving homes to such children but are simply unable to at this time unless the law changes?

Below is a video that shows the orphanage that we would like to adopt through. Through our research thus far, we’ve already come to love the staff and children at God’s Littlest Angels.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Thank you for your prayers!

(This sweet family just exudes so much love- I can’t help but share their video!)

‎

My sweet boy. Recently he’s just blown us away with some things he’s told us regarding his understanding of some Scripture we’ve been studying. I thought I’d share it here because who can’t use a little wisdom in their life? Especially 5 year old wisdom!

Last week we were talking in detail about Jesus being our Shepherd and we are his sheep. The memory verse for the children was:

“He takes care of His flock like a shepherd.” Isaiah 40:11

This led to many conversations about how He takes care of us, loves us, watches over us, protects us, etc.

Then J said, “Mom, I know what it’s like! It’s like Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His sheep and Satan is like a bear trying to get the sheep! But the Shepherd shows His love for His sheep by protecting them and making the bear go away!”

Indeed, it is like that little man.

Then, later in the week we were talking about Halloween and why we no longer celebrate that day (We do not call it a “holiday” because it is not a HOLY-day. For more info on why we’re no longer celebrating the day, you can go HERE.). Then J said, “Mom, wanna’ know something?” (a famous line in our home…lol)

I said, “Sure, bud.”

“It’s like what I said about us being sheep and Jesus being our Shepherd! Halloween is like dead grass- it doesn’t kill us, but it doesn’t give us the strength we need, either! But Jesus wants us to feed on living grass!”

Wow. Couldn’t have said it any better, my boy.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Now I’m on to breakfasts because it’s so important that we all (little ones especially!!!) get a good start to the day nutritionally!

I know we don’t have the mad rush in the mornings the way some families do whose children go to school, but I have many friends and family members who do. Even with limited time in the a.m. I strongly believe that with a little planning ahead yummy nutritional meals are possible!

{photo credit}

Veggie pancakes (can freeze ahead and warm them in toaster oven as needed)

Quiche (Can be made in muffin tins and frozen individually ahead of time)

Oatmeal- this can be topped with anything! Milk, fruit, nuts, cinnamon, etc…one of our FAVES! (I know many adults who don’t care for oatmeal. Helpful hint- don’t skip out on something healthy for your children just because you don’t care for it. Try it again in a new way and maybe you’ll like it too!)

Rice- yup, rice! We started using our leftover rice from “Rice Night” as breakfast food by treating it like oatmeal and putting yummy toppings on it

Omelette- load it up with veggies!

Eggs cooked in a variety of fashions… try something new!

Homemade french toast sticks- use sourdough bread and slice into “sticks” (try Berlin Natural Bakery’s Old Fashioned Sourdough Spelt bread) with grade B organic maple syrup

Fresh raw yogurt with a variety of toppings

Toast with a variety of toppings (berries, homemade cream cheese, peanut butter and bananas, etc)

Fruit salad- try not to use too many high-sugar fruits at a time and try adding some veggies shredded too!

Cookies!!! Why not? They’re healthy!

Ice cream!!! (You’re kids are going to LOVE breakfast time!!)

Sausage from pastured cows

Homemade soaked granola

Wraps- get creative with what goes inside! Organic peanut butter with apples or bananas, flavored cream cheese and raisins, apple butter, scrambled eggs and veggies, etc

Banana fritters or “banana cake”

***

What are some of your favorite healthy breakfasts?

You can get it for FREE here!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/get-the-book/feed/ 0 mamastoff b1-cover http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/grey/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/grey/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:30:29 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3403 ]]> I’m in Ohio and it’s September which means at least a few days a week it’s totally grey.

Before I know it, it will be grey most of each week- if not all.

The leaves are turning beautiful colors and it’s the first time we’ve been able to enjoy them in a few years.

But while I love the change of the seasons (and especially love the seasonal treats) and the crisp cool air, I’m also really missing Florida.

I’m missing friends, 7 day a week sunshine, the lessons God taught me there, feeling His presence at the shoreline of the ocean, feeling a bit more independent being away from family troubles, and so on.

I know God has brought us back to Ohio for some great reasons and I’m excited to see how they play out, but today I’m  just missing our lives there.

http://www.westonaprice.org/basics/principles-of-healthy-diets

Learn more about how you can help spread the Gospel in Asia HERE.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

The next day I awoke to that very scene taking place, only in NYC.

What a scene.

Today, 10 years later, I continue to pray for those whose lives were greatly affected by what happened…

So if you’ve been a part of this journey with me, thank you!

Check this picture I posted 5 years ago:

Yeah, so this was breakfast today. I’m pretty sure I’m going to win Mommy of the Year with that one!

But this isn’t your sugared-up, anti-freeze added, pasteurized milk, low-fat (good fats you SHOULD be eating!), grocery store ice cream. This is a completely raw, organic food that is healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

Here is is:

1 pint raw cream from organic grass-fed cows

1 cup raw whole milk from organic grass-fed cows

1/4 cup raw grade B maple syrup

organic cinnamon to taste

splash of organic vanilla extract

2 raw egg yolks from pastured hens (wash the eggs in warm soapy water prior to cracking them since you’re eating them raw)

*NOTE: DO NOT try this recipe with grocery store eggs! I do NOT recommend eating grocery-store eggs raw!

Mix together (saving your egg whites for other recipes! They freeze wonderfully in an ice cube tray!) and pour in your ice cream maker. For us, that is a fun ball contraption that you fill with ice and salt and roll around on the floor- great fun for the children!

Voila! Ice cream for breakfast!

***

This post is linked to The Healthy Home Economist’s Monday Mania!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/homemade-maple-cinnamon-ice-cream/feed/ 1 mamastoff 100_6670 http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/chiari/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/chiari/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:08:22 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3399 ]]>

This month is Chiari Awareness Month. Don’t know what that is? You’re not alone. I didn’t either until I found out my friend’s beautiful little girl, Brooke, has it. So I’m taking a moment to educate those who don’t know her or the battle she faces daily.

I mean, is she not the cutest???

Chiari (kee-AR-ee) malformation (CM) includes a complex group of disorders characterized by herniation of the cerebellum through the large opening in the base of the skull (foramen magnum) into the spinal canal. The herniated tissue blocks the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and can lead to the formation of a cavity (syrinx) within the spinal cord. There are three main types of CM. CM1, the simplest and most prevalent form, is generally considered to be a congenital malformation, although acquired cases are recognized. It is rarely apparent at birth.

Patients with CM1 may experience no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they usually do not appear until adolescence or early adulthood, but can occasionally be seen in young children. The majority of patients complain of severe headache and neck pain. Other common symptoms are dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, difficulty swallowing, palpitations, sleep apnea, muscle weakness, impaired fine motor skills, chronic fatigue and painful tingling of the hands and feet. Because of this complex symptomatology, patients with CM1 are frequently misdiagnosed.

You can read more about my friend’s journey at Lovely Little Ladybug. When I asked her what she most wanted people to know, she told me that she’d like more people to learn about Chiari. This is a kind and loving Mommy who strongly dislikes seeing her sweet girl in pain but is also so proud of her courage and faith. She says that Chiari is a lifelong situation for her but that she keeps her chin up! We sure can learn a lot from this beautiful little girl who has been through so much…including brain surgery. Her mom’s prayer is for more research, more knowledge, and a way to make all those with Chiari pain free. Let’s join her in that prayer!

***

ALSO… Brooke and her older brother have created Packages of Joy- an awesome effort to bring joy to other children who are in the hospital for their illness. Their mom has this to say about it:

“Each month we will be sending one boy and one girl package to North Shore Hospital in New York.  The package will be filled with fun little toys, crafts, games and well wishes.  When they arrive at the hospital a child life specialist will find two children who need to be cheered up.  They will put the children’s names on the package just like they arrived in the mail.  Our prayer is that the package will bring JOY to the child, along with a beautiful smile!  We hope that we can grow this project to send to more children in more hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses.

Brooke is so thankful for all the JOY that has been shared with her!  Help her to spread JOY!”

Find out how you can help donate items to this amazing cause HERE!

organic pumpkin puree

raw honey

cinnamon

nutmeg

I really didn’t measure this at all. I just kept adding little bits of each until it tasted WONDERFUL!!! Give it a try! What a healthy snack or even lunch for the little ones! Mine sure liked it!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/pumpkin-spice-cream-cheese/feed/ 1 mamastoff 100_6656 100_6658 100_6659 http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/thankful-2/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/thankful-2/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:41:12 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3382 ]]> …for this view out my kitchen window:

This is a recipe that I’ve been making for both family and friends since I was a teenager and it kind of became my signature dish, if you will. However, never have I experienced it in all it’s glory until I “WAP-i-fied” it! Haha! Translation= in the past I did everything I could with my limited knowledge of health to make it more “healthy”. In the beginning, that meant using margarine instead of butter. Then when I stopped drinking milk at age 16 I started cooking it with almond milk- gave it a sweeter taste… not all that great. Then for a while I just didn’t make it because it just wasn’t as good as it used to be.

However… recently I remembered that, hey- I use real, fresh, raw, amazing milk and butter now! So I gave it another try and WOW!!!!!!! Words cannot describe how good it was!

Fettuccine pasta (We don’t do a lot of pasta these days and when we do we use rice pasta, but it’s super yummy!)

1 stick real butter (or guestimate how much out of a tub of raw, farm fresh butter)

1 cup whole milk

2-3 cloves of garlic

grated Parmesan cheese

frozen organic sweet peas

Begin cooking pasta. Melt butter on a med-low heat, add garlic and milk. Raise heat but do not allow to boil. As pasta finishes cooking, add frozen peas to the water for the last minute or two then drain the whole pot. Add butter mixture to pasta, stir, and let sit for a few minutes. Add Parmesan until the pasta is well coated and the sauce thickens. Done and YUM!

*You can add leftover chicken to the dish as well for more protein!

Let the lessons commence!

Well it’s been 2.5 weeks now of being back in the swing of things with our fall schedule and it’s going so well! Our tradition that began last year continued with a special breakfast and a walk with Mom before getting started. J was so excited that he found a tie to wear all morning!

He is having such a great time and remembers so much from last “school” year despite Mommy not having the time to review as often as she would have liked to over the summer due to that little issue of moving across the country…again!

Can’t believe we’re already seeing some color in the trees and some leaves on the ground! We’re not used to seeing that until the holidays! Hoping you are enjoying the season as well!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/fall-update/feed/ 0 mamastoff 100_6553 http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/rice-night/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/rice-night/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:25:13 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3364 ]]> {photo credit}

This morning my husband preached about some ways you can model Christ to your children. He mentioned a few things we do with our family and I just wanted to take a moment to elaborate a little on one in particular… “rice night”.

We started “rice night” in our last home as a way to consistently remember those who do not have what we have. Our children LOVE food. And, well, so do their parents. So we really needed to pause each week and think about what a huge blessing our food really is and how we should be eating to simply nourish our bodies to do God’s work and not just eating for the self-gratification of it. So we decided that on Saturday nights (our Sabbath/day of rest), we would eat nothing other than a bowl of rice for dinner. We use that time to talk about and pray for the many children/people around the world who eat nothing but rice… if even that. We share letters/news from children and missionaries we support as well and talk about what their daily lives must be like. After dinner is our family worship time which I’ll talk more about another time, but concludes with praising God for the blessings He’s given us so that we can do a great work for Him.

It’s a great way to open the eyes of our children to see beyond their little worlds and to open their hearts to love those less fortunate as Jesus would. <3

We’re so beyond blessed to be able to live in such a wonderful home at such an astonishing price- it’s humbling how much God takes care of our needs and even some wants.

If you’ve known me for any amount of time, you probably know that my decor changes to somewhat “match” the home we’re living in. While our homes in Florida were much more modern and “beachy”, this farmhouse is just that… a FARM house. So I’ve embraced the quirks and charms and added my own French country type twist. So here is is!

Our main living room

Our front door entry way/race track

Dining room

Office- all you’re going to see of it for now… not done

Hallway between dining room and “helping room”- shown is the children’s prayer wall

A misc. room that we have dubbed the “helping room”- you’ll see why when you see the size of the kitchen. This is a much better place for the children to help me cook, fold laundry, etc.

Kitchen

Oops! Had our address on the fridge for the children to memorize. Hence the “X”!

Tiny kitchen but it works!

1st floor laundry room/bathroom is such a blessing!

Divisions are shower, potty, and sink

Love my laundry room!

Sorry this is so dark, but this is the children’s lesson room

Upstairs hallway

Upstairs bathroom

J’s room

Going to start collecting license plates for his walls

Miss E’s room

Homemade little playhouse…think I need to straighten out the doorway!

Our room- not really 100% happy with it but to me it’s the least important room in terms of decor, hence the limited pics

Would like to eventually find a real mantel instead of my makeshift one

There is another bedroom as well, but right now it’s serving as my closet since the closets in this 100 year old farmhouse aren’t quite big enough for D and I to both use the one in our room. We’re also blessed with an attic and basement but they’re not finished and really only useful for storage- which is fine with me! Twice the square footage from what we’ve been accustomed to is really all I’m ok with cleaning!!! (Boy, do I miss our tiny condo those days!)

I’ve posted some pictures of the property previously but I’ll try to add some more soon!

My fam loves a certain Asian fast-casual restaurant that rhymes with HEY MAY. However, I recently looked up their nutritional information because I thought it was one of the healthier options in the Asian market. What I found out was that I was way wrong. So that sent me on a mission to re-create a favorite dish of theirs on my own… in a more Weston A. Price type fashion. I wasn’t too sure how my first try would go, but I DID IT! It tasted JUST like the original and was all WAP approved! I can’t tell you how excited I was! Another new meal that my whole family just loves and that gives me my Asian fix without all the bad stuff!

The key to this dish is the sauce. I’ll share that recipe in a moment, but first, lightly sauté some onions in a little bit of coconut oil. Next, add a whole bag full of spinach and put a lid on it until it wilts. Then add chopped carrots last so they retain a good amount of crunch. I usually add all of this to leftover rice and chicken which I cook once a week and keep on hand for various meals. Can’t really tell you how much I add- maybe 1 cup (cooked) rice per person?

Now for the sauce. This is adaptation of the teriyaki sauce found in Nourishing Traditions. Like always, I don’t really measure but I’ll try to guesstimate for you.

1 tsp freshly grated ginger

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp honey

1/2 cup naturally fermented soy sauce

Again, you can add or subtract to your taste, but this is pretty much what I think I use. Whisk in a bowl and pour over your rice/veggie mix and stir. Yum!

For me personally, I feel like a completely different person than I was prior to The Call.

When I left Ohio to move to Florida I was…

insecure with myself and my choices

naive about so much

worldly

many times fake

and so much more…

After my time in Florida I’m finding I am…

confident in who God created me to be

secure in the decisions God has led our family to make

blessed to be on this journey

striving daily to be more and more Biblical

and so much more!!

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men…”

Psalm 107:6-8

I feel as though my heart and soul have settled into an awesome relationship with my Creator. <3

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/changed/feed/ 0 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/were-here-2/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/were-here-2/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:52:32 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=3290 ]]> So I realize that it’s been over a month since I’ve been on my blog, but we’ve been super busy packing, moving, unpacking, getting settled, potty training, etc! Things are beginning to take shape here so I thought I’d share just a few sneak peek pictures of this amazing place we now call home.

THE TRUMPET by Bill Burns — 5/23/11 (a forwarded email from a prophetic friend):

“I hear the Lord saying, arise from the place where you have been seated. Arise and come into the place that I have for you. Come and let us reason together. Come and take a little journey with Me for the journey will be both challenging and satisfying. This journey is going to be a spiritual experience that you have never walked through before. So, come in the power of this day. Come in this anointing. Come with the presence of My hand upon your shoulder. I will lead you and guide you and take you in to this place in the fulfillment of your destiny, says the most Holy One.”

***

Awesome giveaway on one of my FAVE new blogs!!!

Dreamy Whites gives me such inspiration for how to decorate our new farm house!

Check out the giveaway here:

http://dreamywhites.blogspot.com/2011/06/25000-dreamy-whites-online-gift-card.html

Jesus questioned the authenticity of this kind of record keeping. According to the account in Luke chapter 8, when a crowd started following Him, Jesus began speaking in parables- “so that” those who weren’t genuinely listening wouldn’t get it.

When crowds gather today, speakers are extra conscious of communicating in a way that is accessible to everyone. Speakers don’t use Jesus’ tactic to eliminate people who are not sincere seekers.

The fact is, He just wasn’t interested in those who fake it.”

Francis Chan, Crazy Love

Many have asked where we’re going to be living up there- if we’ve found a home yet. So I thought I’d share with you the amazing story of how God went before us (as He always does!!) and has blessed us with an amazing home.

When it began to look 100% positive that we’d be moving North, I began doing what every anxious wife would do… search Craigslist for homes!!! But pretty much immediately, I began to get a little stressed with the lack of rentals available in Ohio (that weren’t $300/month in boarded up mess-of-a-house or $3000/month in the wealthier suburbs). See, God has called our family to rent until He tells us otherwise. We feel this better suits our ministry-focused lifestyle… having more freedom and flexibility to move when and where God calls without being tied down to a house (for now). In our current state of Florida, decent rental homes are a dime a dozen and we’ve had NO problem finding places to suit our needs. But in Ohio it’s a different culture- one that’s not quite so transient and therefore has no where near the amount of available rentals. So, like I said, I began to get nervous. But I rested in the fact that if God was calling us to a certain city (as He’s done more than once now!), that He would provide just the right home for us.

So every evening, I would check Craigslist. I was using certain price parameters to eliminate the two extremes mentioned above- keeping it in a price range that I thought I could find something appropriate for us. During these searches, I’d find a home here and there that looked ok, but either it’d be a little on the pricey side or didn’t have any yard or something else that just kept me from jumping on it.

Feeling frustrated one night while I tried to sleep, I decided to get up and look one more time. For some reason (tiredness?), this time I didn’t put the price limits in the search fields. Up pops a brand new listing at the top of the list for a home that was $200 less than my low-end on searches before. Almost passing it right by, I decided to click on it.

Boy, am I glad I did!

The listing was for an old farmhouse (my dream since my parents moved out of theirs where I had lived for 10+ years) with a ton of updates, TWICE as much space as we’re currently living in, on 150 acres of farm land/woods with trails, access to areas of the barns to house chickens (which I’ve always wanted), space for a garden, a picnic area, a bonfire area, and so much more! And to top it off, the man’s email address given was an address from the Christian university where my husband got his Master’s, that bought our old church building, and where my husband and I first discussed “courting” 7 years ago.

So of course I quickly emailed the man telling him all of that! Lol! Turns out he was a retired Professor from said university as well as being a retired Principal from the school system D was raised in. I explained our situation, had a dear friend go meet him and get us an application, and after much prayer and patience we got the call that we got the house pending a showing while D was in town. That happened about a week later, everything looked great, we signed the papers and gave him our $ and within just a day of D getting the job offer, we had a home!!!!

We’re so excited and so grateful for the chance to have a home that will allow us to do ministry in it. Having lived in some tiny condos here in Florida (which were also blessings in their own way), we have missed being able to have groups of people over and this home will allow us to do just that!

We truly feel this is a gift from the Lord for being obedient to His calling- there is no other explanation! And we praise Him for it!

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/the-ol-farmstead/feed/ 0 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/god-is-a-funny-guy/ http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/god-is-a-funny-guy/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 18:32:08 +0000 mamastoff http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/?p=2406 ]]> Wow. So this promises to be a good read. I’ll try to keep it as brief as possible.

Let me start by saying God is good. All the time.

About 4 years ago, God put it on my husband’s heart to “spread his wings”. At the time, we didn’t know what that meant.

A year later, God showed us Tampa, Florida. In crazy ways. For a YEAR. Again, we didn’t know what it all meant, other than the fact that we knew He would somehow get us here.

After specifically showing us one suburb and then one church, we accepted His call and moved South. We left a church in Ohio that D grew up in, was baptized and ordained as a pastor in, we met and were married in.

Year one, we got to know our new city and loved it. Loved everything.

Year two came along and God start pushing us Spiritually. He called us to things that we never would have considered in the past. He providentially introduced us to countless people who, we’re so proud to say, will be with us on our journey for the rest of our lives.

Although, with that came many many trials as well. The church that we came down to Florida for (well, at least why we thought we were brought here) shifted their priorities and was no-longer like-minded with us and my husband’s vision for ministry. We felt a stirring of God within us, and at the same time they asked him to begin actively looking for another job.

Confused by the turn of events, we sought out wise counsel and prayer from those who love and support us in the community. We began praying for God’s next step for us and praising Him for the bigger picture of why He called us here to Tampa which was being made clearer and clearer. Amidst broken relationships and other trials, God began to lead us in one particular direction.

During this time, D and I began to map out his vision and calling for how to do ministry as God has taught us and revealed to us over the past two years of tremendous growth. As we did that, we tried to figure every possible way to implement that including praying over birthing a new church or being a part of resurrecting an older church.

While in the process of praying through the beginning stages of a church plant, God did His thing.

D received a phone call from a Senior Pastor of a church who was looking for someone to take over/merge two positions that were currently held by staff members who were going to be leaving said positions over the next year for other missions. This Pastor is extremely Spirit-lead and the position that was being created was pretty much exactly what we had mapped out on paper of where our hearts are. Amazing. Each conversation D and I had with this Pastor about this new position left us speechless and staring at each other in amazement. It was as if this church and its pastor knew where God has led us and what our passions are.

Here comes the funny part.

Ready?

It was the new Pastor of our old church in Ohio. The man who was our Young Adult Pastor when D and I met in that ministry. Bear in mind that although we’ve always loved this church, we never had any intention of going back. We had grown in a direction that we just thought really wouldn’t line up with the church we once knew anymore.

However…

In talking with him, other church leaders, and friends still on staff, we came to realize that this was not the same church it was when we left. It seems to have grown (and is continuing to grow) in very similar ways as we have over the past 2 years and values many of the things we value. Crazy to think about the parallel journeys we were taking at the same time a thousand miles apart.

So here we are… getting ready to move North and accept a position where D will be the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at a large, community-impacting, Spirit-led church!

This is not to say that we’re not very sad that we’re leaving our amazing new friends, educational opportunities for our children, resources for our lifestyle (nutritionally speaking- goodbye year-round gardening!)… and the WEATHER!!! It’s also not to say that it’s going to be a walk in the park. I wish we were headed North where we had fantastic extended family relationships, but things are not what they once were in that regard. We pray for that to change. We also know that the D and A who left Ohio 2 years ago are not the same D and A who will be returning (praise God!!), and that with that may come other challenges from those who may expect one thing from our return and yet see something entirely different.

But we know God will provide in the same ways that He has all along. And that brings us comfort and peace.

To our Florida students, leaders, and friends:

You will be missed. Students and leaders- you’ve had a great impact on my husband. He will forever cherish the time spent with you. For me, I wish I could have had the privilege of knowing you each better. Unfortunately, there were some obstacles that got in the way and for the sake of unity within the church those do not need to be disclosed. But please know my heart- that I wanted to spend more time with you all. I longed to get to know you better and have deeper relationships.

Friends- you have blessed me beyond measure. Words cannot even begin to do justice to how you’ve impacted my life and the lives of my family. I believe you are truly the biggest reason why God called us to this area and we are forever changed. You have shown me what it means to truly live according to God’s Word. I will miss you more than you know but have high hopes of visiting often!!

To our Ohio staff, friends, and church:

Well, we hope you missed us because here we come!

Two years ago during tear-filled goodbyes, who would have thought this was the next step in the Lord’s amazing plan! Sure would have been nice to know at the time as we could have avoided so much pain. However, we truly believe that even that was a part of His plan- checking our hearts to  see if we would be obedient to Him no matter what the cost. It sure wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. Crying with students at our dining table was heartbreaking. Having family members be disappointed in us was trying. Leaving close friends was a real struggle. Nearly losing a house was a battle. But through it all we strived to obey His call and we’ve been blessed because of it.

Church- what a journey you’ve been on! From a thousand miles away we can sense your growth and it’s powerful! There is such a strength that comes with the unity you’re creating! We see Christ-followers allowing Christ to work in, with, and through them to impact the lives of others, the church, the community, the world, and most importantly- God’s Kingdom! We’re so blessed that God has been doing a similar work in our own lives and that He’s aligning our paths once again. We can’t wait to work side-by-side with you in the trenches changing people’s lives!

***

It’s funny, because when we look at our choice as to whether to move North again or not, the first question most would ask (including us), is where are our children going to have the best opportunities and where is live going to be “easier”. And the answer to that, for our family, would be Florida. However, when you begin to realize that your future is actually in the hands of our Creator, we see that the decision isn’t even ours to make! It has already been made and it’s better in so many unseen ways that our decision ever would be.

And that makes us sooooooooo excited!!!!

*A friend shared with me a “Spirit of Prophecy” bulletin this morning… something that she shares with us from time to time and they are always divinely timed:

THE TRUMPET by Bill Burns — 5/23/11:
“I hear the Lord saying, arise from the place where you have been seated. Arise and come into the place that I have for you. Come and let us reason together. Come and take a little journey with Me for the journey will be both challenging and satisfying. This journey is going to be a spiritual experience that you have never walked through before. So, come in the power of this day. Come in this anointing. Come with the presence of My hand upon your shoulder. I will lead you and guide you and take you in to this place in the fulfillment of your destiny, says the most Holy One.”

To see a sermon that encapsulates the vision that we’re excited to be a part of, go here:

http://vimeo.com/14590982

 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.”

James 3: 13-18

J&E,

Happy birthday, loves!

I’m so proud to be your mama- you bring me so much joy every day! You’re both unique, beautiful, intelligent, kind, loving, gentle, giving individuals and blessings in the lives of your father and I. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gifts you are. Every day that you are a part of our family is a treasure! My prayer for you both is that you’ll continue to surrender your lives to Him and follow His will always- no matter the cost.

I look forward to another wonderful year ahead with you!

Love, Mama

Sorry, that’s how I tell my children what we’re having for dinner when they ask on chili nights!

This has been a fave dinner for a couple of years now! It’s kind of a Southwestern version and SO good. Hope your family enjoys it as well!

1 pound browned ground pastured turkey/chicken (browned with 1/2 to 1 chopped onion and chili powder and cumin to taste)

1 tsp fresh chopped garlic

1 3/4 cups homemade organic chicken broth

1 cup organic salsa

1 tbsp rapadura sugar

1 to 2 cups organic frozen corn

1 to 2 cups black beans (soaked in filtered water and whey overnight and cooked until soft)

Throw all ingredients into a large pot and simmer. Play with spices until it suits your tastes, then enjoy!

*Like most recipes, I don’t really measure much. I usually just keep adding stuff until I have a really full pot and then I’ll freeze a lot of it for days when I don’t want to cook!

I recently came across this clip of Francis Chan’s wife speaking to the congregation on their church about their calling to leave their church. It filled me with such hope because I’m frequently frustrated by the “role” of so many women whom are married to well-known pastors in our country. Too often I see this sort of celebrity-ism affecting their witness in that they begin to act like they have it all figured out (I’ve seen this played out in many different ways but that’s not what this post is about so I’ll leave it at that). But here we have a woman- a child of our awesome Creator, the wife of an amazing pastor, and mother of 4 showing us the humility and faithfulness that are truly the fruit of someone living with Christ within.

This recipe has become one of D’s and my favorite dishes because it’s easy (are you noticing a theme among my fave recipes??), healthy, and YUM!

6 large eggs from pastured hens

1/2 to 1 whole chopped and steamed head of broccoli (depending on personal preference)

1 cup shredded raw cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/2 cup raw milk

2 tsp (ish) Dijon mustard

3 slices bread (try Berlin Sourdough for a super-healthy dish!), cut into tiny cubes

Mix all ingredients except bread. Lay bread cubes on bottom of greased dish and pour the egg mixture over top. Press down to create a level surface and bake at 375 until golden and cooked through.

*Another tip: try baking in a muffin pan for single servings and freeze extra. Warm in a toaster oven for a quick meal on the go!

This is a clip from the video from Francis Chan’s series “Basic”, called “Follow Me”. It i’s unbelievable and will most assuredly mess you up as it has for D and I. You can buy the whole thing HERE.

I’ve always liked hummus. My children, however, have not always been fans. My recipe for hummus used to consist of opening a can of chick peas, adding lemon juice and a spoonful of jarred garlic, and mixing. I didn’t know what I  was missing until I tried the Weston A. Price approved version in Sally Fallon’s cookbook, Nourishing Traditions (a must-read for anyone trying out the WAP lifestyle! It’s so much more than just a cookbook!) and tweaked it to my tastes.

I’m not big with measuring, so I just wing it and it still turns out great each time- another bonus for me!

2 cups chickpeas (soaked with filtered water and whey overnight then cooked until soft)

a few cloves of fresh chopped garlic

about a 1/4 or large spoonful of tahini

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

cayenne pepper to taste

Blend in a food processor until super smooth and you’re done!! Serve with veggies or pita bread and enjoy!

~David Platt

]]> http://alittlemorecrazythancool.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/discipleship/feed/ 0 mamastoff