Monthly Archives: February 2015

It has been a long, tiring week.  All of my little ones have gotten the nasty sickness bug.  It has been a week of cleaning up vomit and diarrhea.  I am looking forward to the day when they are self sufficient and can make it to the bathroom in times of sickness (sigh).

We have spent our days curled up on the couch, watching movies. “Mr Peabody and Sherman” have become a repeated movie that I know pretty much all of the lines to now (smile).

One of the positive things is that when they are sick, they don’t mess up things.  My home has stayed pretty much clean for the entire week.  We have had to do some bedding and wash dishes but not a whole lot else.  That makes for a good week. Plus less meals.  We made a big pot of chicken noodle soup and ate that for many meals.

We even took the week off of school.  Will catch up next week.  I only wish that I was feeling great and then I could have gotten up and done more work on here.  But unfortunately when you get woken up all night long and have to tend to them, your priorities shift.  But its good.  We are on the mend.  We had a good turning point and we are hopeful for happy children and no more sickness!!

We had a big snow storm hit our area this week.  Like 8 inches of snow in some areas.  So fun, I didn’t bring any snow gear here as I was told that there would not be this kind of weather:)  But after listening to the locals talk, while I was waiting in line at the store, it seems that it is an odd thing.  They remember the years of the storms that hit this area and it is usually about every other.  This just happened to be a particularly bad year.  But we will embrace it.  It only stays for a few days.  Next week it should warm back up and it will be gone.  I was glad that the children got to have a few days of playing in the snow.  They made a snow fort and big snowman, but the sun came out yesterday and melted most of it.  Good fun memories!!

Next week I will be back to my large family decluttering and I have been working on getting a once a month freezer meals series ready to post.  I am also in the process of getting my home economics book in print on Amazon.

All this takes time and I am working on it as much as I can.  I am excited for it.  I know that I would rather have some tangible copy in my hands instead of digital.  I will keep you posted.

I will leave you with this from Isaiah 55:10

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
 You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Be blessed and I will be back next week!!!

Since moving to North Carolina, we have enjoyed visiting all of the natural wonders that are in this area.  From November until now, we have been out exploring almost every weekend because the weather has been so nice.  We just had our first major ice storm and it caused a shut down for the town.  I remember the jokes from people in the north that southerners don’t know how to drive in snow and ice and we would laugh along with them.  But what I have learned that it isn’t that they don’t know how to drive, it is that it is impossible to drive in.  The majority of the area is on an incline, which makes it impossible to drive on when ice hits.

My husband had the wonderful experience of “winter” weather when he came home from work the day of the storm and was trying to drive his car up the mountain.  He realized he wasn’t going to get up it as he was sliding back down and opted to park at the bottom of the mountain.  Now it is fun to walk up the mountain for exercise, when you feel like it, BUT after working all day and it is raining ice, you don’t look too forward to walking up it.  Thankfully it only lasted about a day and then the ice melted, but he has since learned that most people who live on mountains, park at the bottom if they know ice is coming.  Good fun.

We actually had our first snow storm today as well.  So winter has been about 2 weeks in the making and we are totally fine with that!!

We have explored as a family multiple areas around where we live and this is by far the most favorite of our family.  We came across an area in Pickens, South Carolina.  Yes the name definitely sounds back-woods- like and it is definitely that.  It is in the middle of nowhere and very secluded.  We came across a little community known as Pumpkintown.  Which hosts an opry, diner, and ice cream parlor.  That is about all we have found, along with the many people who sell boiled peanuts out of the back of their pick up trucks.  Haven’t tried them yet—probably won’t (smile) Definitely no health departments regulating that down here (smile).

Pickens is home to a beautiful state park known as Caesers head and Table Rock.

Caesers Head is an amazing place to visit.  It has huge panoramic views of the mountains and is breathtaking. 

We have been wanting to visit Chimney Rock here in our state but it costs a lot, I believe like $10 a person just to walk up it.  From what we have heard, it isn’t as great as stated and this compares to it just as well and it is FREE.

The day we went, the sky looked so clear from the valley and as we were driving up the mountain, you could see the cloud cover.  When we got to the top, it was semi clear—we literally went into the gift shop for about 5 minutes and came back and this whole area was engulfed by a cloud.  It was simply breathtaking, it looked as though you were looking out into heaven. 

You drive to the lookout area, and it has a small gift shop, hiking information area, restroom, and concession area.  You can walk out a few yards and see the lookout, very easy to access.  It is very child safe, as all of my little ones were climbing all over the rocks and enjoying the views.

I have a video included on this post of what we experienced and it shows the deep crevice we were able to walk down.  They have a place where the two sides of the mountain collide and it has a narrow passageway that you can walk down, on stairs.  This then takes you down around the front of the mountain.  It is very safe, all of my children descended upon this trail.  It brings you to a side view of the cliff you are looking out and you see what this mountain is named for “Caesers head.”  It to me resembles more of a monkey looking face, but from the front I am sure it is different (smile).   

Here they are enjoying some of the huge boulders in the look out area.

After we walked down, some of the clouds had cleared away and back up we went.  We were able to see the peaks of some of the other mountains in the distance.   

We have been back to this spot, multiple times and you never know what the weather will be like up there.  On the days we thought for sure it would be clear, it wasn’t.  One time we went and it was so windy, you didn’t even want to stand long up and look. 

Another time it was clear and you could see for miles around.  Definitely a must see stop for anyone traveling through this area.    

You can then hop back in your car and drive down the mountain and stop at a few stops.  This was Bald Rock Mountain. Another beautiful place with great panoramic views . Again free and not that many people. Then you can get back in your car and enjoy about a 30 minute drive to Table Rock State Park.  This was a paying park.  We paid $2 for adults and children 16 and under were free.  But worth the price to be able to go somewhere well kept up and much to do.  We have spent the entire day here and for $4 that it cost us, was worth it.

As you pull up, the parking lot is packed full, but most of these are all hikers, doing the massive trails.  For our family there was not many people where we were at.  The picture above is Brooklyn playing with a goose in the lake.  The area has a huge lake with canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats you can rent during the season.  it has a sandy beach area that we will definitely be trying out.  The other side of the lake, where we were at has fishing and lots of geese.  They are extremely friendly, be careful of your food, they will want it!

It has a nice play area for children.  One of the nicest that we have found down here at all.  In the video, I have it recorded. 

After picnicking and enjoying the water you can go for a hike.  This is the BEST areas to hike in with children.  We have been to many areas and most are pretty rugged and not so good for children.  But this  entire trail is all naturally paved out– but in a good child way.  Steps made out of boulders, roots, and some man made wood steps along the way help hiking to be easier.

You have many trails to try out.  They have a little office where you are to register at before you go hiking.  Just so they know who is left in the wild.  We do the Carrick Trail.  Simple and easy with little ones.  We would love to do the more intense ones to see the better views of Table Rock.  The mountain of Table rock was a place that the Indians named that because it looks like one of the gods could sit on the seat and use the top of the mountain as a table.  It is a beautiful view that you can see when you first pull into the park.  Again an amazing panoramic view.

When we first started out on the Carrick Creek Trail, it takes about an hour to hike and my husband and I ended up carrying both of the youngest children.  But now they can walk the entire trail by them self with no carrying needed.  So much easier than carrying a 35 pound weight up the mountain(smile).

Here is Mady and me.  She holds my hand so we don’t fall.  We have been here during the winter when it has been wet.  I took a fall one time in mud.  But she claims she saved me from it being worse. She is my walking buddy. That day I noticed many young ladies, with mud down their leg—so it wasn’t just me (smile).

There is so many places to just stop and enjoy nature along this trail.  Here the girls were waiting by the flowing stream that runs through the entire trail.

You can literally walk right up to the water that is flowing.  It will be nice when it is hot in the summer and the water is ice cold.  It is just huge flat granite rocks, with water flowing on them.

There are many little waterfalls all along the trail.

Here the boys like to get their feet wet. 

Lots of trees to climb, and weird areas to discover. Lots of natural beauty that you just want to stop at along the way and view.

Here Stephen has found his walking stick and walks proudly along the path.  Daddy and him are usually trailing up the back, because he likes to explore every little thing.

You have to cross the creek, stream, river–whatever it is called multiple times throughout your hike.  Some are over little man made bridges, some are laid out like here with rocks.  Either way, it is fun to hop across. Here they were taking a break by some water.

Some of them starting getting pretty rocks out of the water.  They have many “sparkly” ones as my little ones like to say.

You could  literally sit here and just be with your thoughts all day long.  Oh wait, unless you have children in tow, forget that!

So peaceful and quiet. 

Lots of natural things just to explore.  Here was a big tree uprooted, the children enjoyed looking at it.

This was more of a straight away and then the children started running.

Brooklyn usually leads the pack and keeps us moving.

She is quickly followed by big brother Evan and little brother Jentzen.  Those children can run!!

Here Lauren was taking a break from hiking up the sides of the mountain, another peaceful spot.

When you come around the two mountains there is a big tree that fell in between them.  You can either walk around the corner or do as Lauren did and walk across on the fallen log.  This day, someone stopped and started recording her–probably in hopes that she was not going to make it for a funny youtube video (smile).  We chose to walk around.

Here is another fun stop along the way.  Just huge pieces of rock that make a nice little hiding place for you to sit under. Here is at the beginning of the trail, which is the end.  It has a nice sitting area where you can relax and enjoy the waterfall as you rehydrate or rest up after your hike.

For those that would like a video, here is one with a bunch of clips of our time at Caeser’s head and Table rock.

Just a couple of places to go for families who like to be together and for an inexpensive good time.

This past week we celebrated 3 birthdays!!!  It is the only month that we have so many celebrations within a couple of days.

We started out by making treats to take to church for Valentines Day.  We went with something that we enjoy making a few times a year.  Popcorn balls.  You can make a lot for little effort and they taste very good.  We have made this successfully with children of all ages for our girls group at church and we did it, with our younger group and it wasn’t too messy.  Most of the time they got their “blob” and just licked their fingers!!!

You can click here for complete step by step instructions.

Up next, we celebrated Madelyn’s 4th birthday.  She was our “red-head” born on Valentines Day.

We always let the birthday person choose their favorite dessert or cake.  Madelyn went with what else?? Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

She really wanted a princess dress for her birthday, but since they were like $35 for a flimsy one at Walmart, I passed on it.  We instead went to the Goodwill and found this “looks like a princess” style dress.  They also had the matching crown, found all of this for $4.  That was a deal and she can wear it out.     

The chocolate frosting was messy, she licked an awful lot of it.  We were having guests over, so I made sure to keep a separate plate for them and kept a “child-made” plate. 

Everyone wanted to get into the fun. Who can resist chocolate??

Here the birthday girl was all dressed up and ready for celebrating.

It is hard to believe how fast time flies.  I can’t believe that my life has gotten so much easier over the last few years. I would have never imagined being able to do the “extra” things that I do like my blog and going out on dates with my husband.  All the weary mothers out their who don’t get to do anything, I was you.  It seemed, I would never have a chance to breathe again, but it came.  In time it will.The other person who had a birthday was Lauren.  She turned 17 this year.  This year was much quieter than last years birthday where we had a big 16th birthday party for her.  Which I am glad that we got to do before we left Michigan.  This year Lauren and I got to go out alone to the Winter Jam concert.  That was way fun!! We got to see Family Force 5, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Building 429, Veridia, and Blanca.  It was so great to be worshiping with 14, 000 other believers.  We took along some new friends from church and had a great time. Who said that Christians can’t have fun??

Since we did the concert, we decided to have our cakes on Madelyn’s birthday party.  That way, when we had guests over, we could have a variety of cakes.

Lauren’s favorite is chocolate eclair cake.  You can view here how we make it.  This is her absolute favorite.  Our old neighbor gave us this one time for Christmas and it quickly became a favorite in the family.

We also celebrated my birthday.  I decided to go with something different this year for a cake and I wanted to try pineapple upside down cake.  I had Jadyn make it and she did an excellent job. Click here to see step by step instructions on making this cake.  It was super easy and looks great for presentation.

So delicious, I am thankful that everyone liked this, otherwise I would have been eating most all of it myself!!!

We went and chose a Mexican buffet for dinner.  It was an easy thing to make and then it allows everyone to pick their favorite toppings for nachos.

Good fun, family times.  We get a little break before the next ones.  Have a blessed weekend.

When we go about our life and someone or something comes our way that “hits a nerve” and then bam!!! We are offended!!! It happens suddenly, it doesn’t usually take time to sink it, we are either easily offended or not. It is like a wound that refuses to get better. It festers, continues to open, reddens, and gets infected. It hurts and keeps infecting our life with anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness, sickness, and strife. It will rob us of so many good things that God has for us.
For most people, it is hard to forgive. They might get to the point of forgiveness but they don’t usually forget. Satan knows if we don’t forgive and forget then he can bring that offense up over and over again. He will use it as a tool against us to keep opening that wound and digger deeper, to cause bitterness in our soul. He LOVES to see us miserable and so loathed in our own self pity. He is sick soul.

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We have to remember that we are not striving against people, but against demonic forces that are trying to oppress us. When we allow ourselves to get offended it is like stepping into that trap. Remember the definition from the beginning? Offense is a snare set by Satan. We cannot get out until we forgive and release the other person from the offense.
Holding onto bitterness and anger only causes us to be affected physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Physically it will create stress in the body, as the body no longer can function doing the natural processes of day to day. It has to work hard to help ward off the excess pumping of the heart due to stress and anger. This causes a weakness in the body, which in turn can lead to sickness, tiredness, and more stress on our heart. Repeated anger over the years leads to a multitude of health problems as in high blood pressure and heart conditions. How easy it sounds to take care of our bodies physically by not taking offense at things?
Emotionally is a big one. How many of you deal with depression and sadness in your life? I know I did for years even after I was a believer. I would let offenses eat at me for days on end. I let Satan beat me down and make me believe I was not worth something. But let me tell you, the day I stopped believing in all that garbage was the day I was set free from my sin and bondage. It was, and is the best decisions I have ever had. DO NOT let Satan work on you through offenses and make you believe you are not someone highly favored by the Lord. Our minds are a delicate thing, when offense comes your way DON’T TAKE IT.
Spiritually, offenses will not allow us to move to that next level that God has for us. We all work towards a greater goal in life. We want to strive to keep working towards learning and experiencing a greater level of spiritual-ness that can only come from God. Most people never get to experience this awesomeness from the Lord. They are so stuck in bondage of sin and it happens because of their own selfish choices and choosing to take offense at things.
We may get offended that the pastor speaks on giving and tithing. Even when they share the blessings of seed sowing and all that God has done, we get offended. We may remember hearing a story of someone who has abused this principle and now we reject hearing the words of the Lord. We think all he wants is our money so we reject the principal and choose not to experience the blessing.
We may get offended because they didn’t choose us to be the new Sunday school teacher. We stop going to church because we are offended by that. This ONLY hurts us spiritually and we miss out on the blessings God has for it. How do we know what God is going to work out in our lives if we get offended over things that WE THINK need to happen? We have to start believing God and let Him work in our lives.

Are you enjoying this series??? You can download the entire PDF here or keep reading Why we should not take offense?

Offended by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

The bible says do not offend the Holy Spirit…….who in their right mind would want to offend the Holy Spirit? Did you know that when we fight and do not get along with others we are offending the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is to be living inside of us. It is meant to guide us and direct us to the life that God has for us. God is a god of peace. The Holy Spirit living inside of you is to make your life peaceful. It is meant to help spread unity in our life and community. Where there is unity there is anointing and a blessing from God.
I know that for myself, I cannot carry offense towards someone or something and be anointed by God. It doesn’t work that way. How can I go along and share the love of God with others when inside of my heart I am angered or bitter towards others. You can’t mix those two together. I would not want to go about my day without the anointing of God in my life. Could you imagine driving down the road, going to the grocery store, or being MARRIED without the anointing? I know, because I lived without the anointing for many years and guess what? I did an awful lot of fighting with my husband. I also did some unkind things to others. I definitely did not reach out and do as God wanted me to do. I saw how if I just would of reacted differently to things, how much better situations would have turned out. I had to learn things the wrong, hard way. It is so much easier to have the Holy Spirit living within you and helping guide you in your path of life. Once you start listening and stop rejecting, you will come to see all that God has for you just by you simply obeying .

How can we offend the Holy Spirit:

1. When we excuse away our sinfulness. The Holy Spirit is mean to be a source of conviction in our hearts. People use it to support ungodly behavior and to excuse away their sins.
2. When we go against the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit works hand in hand with God’s word. It revels to us the truth and to not lead us away from it.

We all need the presence of God in our lives. I would NEVER want to live without the presence of the Holy Spirit flowing in my life.

Offending ourselves

Did you know that you can offend yourself?

Matthew 18:8-9 says:
And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

In these verses God is referring to “cutting out” and getting rid of the things that are causing you to stumble in your life. Having a guilty conscience is a major problem in life. It causes you to shrink back in fear of people finding out your “hidden” sin. You will lack boldness to stand for things God wants you to stand for. When Jesus died on the cross He did it to set us free from condemnation and feelings of guilt. But it is our choice to make right decisions once we accept that He did that for us. We cannot continue to choose sinful behaviors and expect to receive the blessings and benefits of knowing Jesus. His blood bought our freedom. But if we remain in sin when we know that it is wrong, then we are not using the freedom He gave us.

How can we go about not offending ourselves? First we accept and call it what it is SIN. Stop excusing away your problems. State it and name it!!! Then avoid it. Stop participating in that which is causing you to sin. If your conscience condemns it then stay away.

That can include:

•  Magazines with immodestly dressed people.
•  Movies that you would NOT sit with Jesus and watch.
•  Dirty jokes, bad language, gossip with people.
•  Music that does not have a positive message.
•  Books that cause you to dream up images of sinful things.
•  Friends that lead us to do things that are not godly.

There are so many different things that are stumbling blocks in our lives. We need to cut them out and throw them away. Some people have said that looking at things or listening to things that are NOT God honoring do not offend them. But what has happened is that they have become numb to the world. There hearts have become so hardened that things don’t even bother them anymore. That is a sad reality. I don’t want to be numb to things. We want to have our eyes open to see the realities of life, to help others, to live a life victorious in Christ.

Giving offense to others

2 Corinthians 6:3
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry
Proverbs 18:19
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

I like both of these verses. Not being an offense person is a HUGE way to share the testimony of Christ in your life. If we walk around with sinful behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles how is anyone else whom has those same issues going to want to change things in their own life? Why would they want a “god” who doesn’t even manifest himself in them? One who doesn’t help them change from their wrong ways? People are looking for a way out. They want to get away from their worldly lifestyles and ways, if we can’t show it to them, then why would they want to change?
Want to know the BEST way to AVOID giving offense to others??

Think before you do or say something!!!

If we were just to “think” a moment before we start to speak, we can usually avoid offending someone. The bible says it is hard to tame the tongue. For many of us, we just speak before we think!!! When our friends are sick with the flu for weeks on end and we start talking about how we prayed and did not get that sickness—we are causing offense to someone. When we go minister in a low income area and we choose to wear expensive clothing or jewelry, we are probably going to cause some offense. If we know people are struggling with sin in their lives and we prance around dabbling in the sin—because we don’t have issues with it, we are causing offense.
We have friends that dress more modestly than we do, whenever we go visit with them, I make sure to dress as modest as they would out of respect to them. If you know someone does something, don’t go against the grain and be disrespectful. If your friend struggles with food, don’t eat something that you know causes them to crave it in front of them. Help them, encourage them.
If you are in a disagreement with someone, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Allow others to have their way in the conflict. By choosing to remain calm and not be part of the disagreement puts a quick end to the anger and will stop the offense. Being part of foolish and dumb arguments are NOT a sign of a believer. God wants us to be the peacemakers, helping others to learn to have self control in their lives.
Be considerate of others and think how they feel in their own situation. The saying “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” is a huge reminder of how we are to walk around in love and not in offense.

Find out what offense does to us next……

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