Tillaboro Orchard

Falling forward

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

from Orphanology:

"My hope is that the Homes for Hope for Children story serves as a source of encouragement for those who are struggling to accomplish something great that God has placed upon their hearts. I was told along the way that the vision was inrealistic, and it often seemed the biggest challenge was just keeping the vision intact. As tough times hit and the mountain seems to steep, the temptation is to decrease expectations and standards. I encourage you to adhere to what the Lord has called you to do. There are those in need that are counting on you, and God has called you to meet their needs. Current events, a bad economy, or any other obstacle that is placed in front of you does not surprise Him. Keep moving forward, even it it requires at times to simply fall forward."
~Dr. Michael Garrett

Executive Director: Homes of Hope for Children

Read about how God is caring for the fatherless in south Mississippi through Homes of Hope for Children

It's a cool ministry. I am amazed at what God does through people who are willing to do it. Willing to take a risk and look stupid if they fail, but trusting that God won't fail, that He will come through to complete the good work He starts in us.

Why not?

2012-01-27T07:32:00.000-08:00

"All adoption and all orphan care by Christians- by those who are justified by grace alone through faith alone and the basis of Christ alone- is done by faith."
~John Piper

"We adopt as an outward working of our faith, no more no less.
Adoption is God's will. It says so throughout the New Testament...Maybe the question we should be giving families an opportunity to wrestle with is this: "Why shouldn't I adopt?" If we know that adoption is God revealed will, and adoption is His Plan A for both bringing us into the kingdom (Eph 1: ⁵having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,) and caring for orphans (James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.), then why shouldn't we assume that adoption is God's will for all Christian families and then look for signs that God isn't leading us to adopt?"
~'Orphanology' excerpts from page 116, (supporting scripture added by me)

This line of thought resonates with me because as we were trying to discern God's will for hosting Anastasija, a friend on facebook asked me "Why not?" This question was very influential in our decision to host.
And then, it was very influential in our decision to begin our application process to adopt.

We mailed our application yesterday. Once we hear from the agency that we can go ahead and start our home study and immigration paperwork, we will let you know how you can support us.

Thanks for continuing to pray for us!
XO

Why?

2012-01-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

What is the point? Why would we adopt when we obviously have no trouble making our 'own' babies?

Well, it follows from a basic premise to which Joe and I both ascribe: People are valuable.

All people are valuable. People are made in the image of God.
So God says.
So we say.

Children are special. They are defenseless. God gets worked up about the defenseless. So we get worked up about the defenseless. Anyone who knows me, knows that abortion breaks my heart. Unborn babies are the MOST defenseless. I feel compelled to speak up for these who cannot speak up for themselves. I feel deeply motivated to care for those most affected by abortion- vulnerable women and defenseless children. God has called me, commanded me, to do so.

It should not come as a surprise then, that God has also called and commanded me to care for orphans. They are a tie for me for the position of most defenseless with preborn children. They have a little more autonomy and ability to get their needs met, but they do not have the luxury of still being with their mother.
I believe that a commitment to advocating for preborn children directly leads to caring for orphans. The authors of "Orphanology" ask a very sharp-edged question to those who spend their time and energy protesting abortion, "Would you be willing to adopt these kids if they were not aborted?" Orphan care is where the rubber meets the road for those who value the sancitity of life.

I am especially moved by the words of Christ when it comes to children: Mark 9:36 "Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but
Him who sent Me.”

I have been shown through Bibly study and the Holy Spirit three specific groups of children God recognizes as made in His image and expects us to receive:

unborn children
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
~Psalm 139

biological children
²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it
~Genesis 1

and orphans
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.

6 God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
~Psalm 68

All three of these categories of people have been devalued and marginalized in our culture and around the world. Babies in the wombs of unmarried women? A drain on society to be eliminated. Babies in families? Best limited to 2.3 per household. Orphans? Best to just ignore, their problems are too big to be helped.

But God calls us to receive them.
How strongly have your opinions on children been influenced by the world? Look at your heart and your attitudes. Do you freely and happily receive children? Or do you think it's better to eliminate, limit, and ignore? Honestly, don't people KNOW WHAT CAUSES children?

So, why am I applying to adopt a ten year old when I am 9 months pregnant? Why do I pray so hard and talk so much about the tragedy of abortion? Because God says these are His people, made in His image, and I am blessed to receive them.

Receive the little ones; receive Christ and the ONE who sent Him.

XO

LIFE

2012-01-23T09:59:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone else sees, it, but I think Anastasija looks like my mom. And, it doesn't surprise me that God would give me the small gift of seeing a physical resemblance there. I hope there is more than just a physical resemblance- for myself, as well as for Anastasija. It's good to look like my mom, it's even better have some of her strength.

Because, I learned the lessons of caring for and speaking up for the marginalized of society from my mother. It makes sense to me that I would think of that today, my birthday, and the date of this year's Life March. Because those things have to do with my mom. She gave me life, and then she taught me to respect it- all of it. I remember her making signs to take to local Life Chains, and I remember well our trip to Washington, D.C. one January to speak out againt the violence toward women and chilren that Roe v. Wade legalized.

Before that, I vaguely remember her as a foster mom to teen girls when I was very little. I remember her home being open to people who needed a safe place to stay. Later in her life she provided respite care for kids in foster care. She allowed God to use her home and family to accomplish His plan for setting the lonely in families.

My mother put energy and effort into protecting and advocating and caring for those who cannot help themselves. Truly, the theme of caring for the fatherless comes to mind- unwanted babies who are not yet born, and kids in the foster system.

I am glad that Anastasija looks like my mom (at least to me). I hope she lives up to her looks and her given name- the breaker of the chains. Because to break chains you need to have two things: strength and compassion. My mother had a good dose of both, and hope I've got some of it- enough to pass on to my daughters.

XO

The most wonderful phone message ever (a transcript)

2012-01-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hi this is Cathy Sawyer with An Open Door and I've got great news. I've confirmed with Daina that Anastasija, and I apologize if I'm not saying her name correctly, but she wants to be adopted by your family and she's free for adoption. Daina says that according to the, I think it's her foster mom where she's living, she looks at the hosting pictures all the time and cries. She really misses you guys. And Daina's going to look for a number and address so that you can communicate with her. I would encourage you to complete an application and let's get started right away if you're ready so that we can work together to bring her back quickly. Please call me.

Count it all joy....

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4

This is a verse that Christians like to read, and memorize, but not actually believe and do. I know very few people (okay, I can't think of any) who count trials as joy- ESPECIALLY when they are still in the trial and not on the other side of it yet.

I shared a few days ago from Katie Davis' blog about how it is important to find beauty in God's process, not just the finished result.
I think James takes this thought one step further by asking us to count it ALL JOY when trials come. All joy means, to me, not one bit of grumbling.

Having just read 'Weird' by Craig Groeschel and being encouraged to be different from the world and even from most American Christians, and starting out pretty weird anyway, I decided to count the above situation all JOY.
God has been showing me lately that He can be trusted to have a GOOD PLAN. Plans to prosper, not harm. So, I looked at that mess and thought, "Huh, I wonder what awesome blessing God has in mind for THAT." And I had perfect peace. And, even JOY. Some humor even. I mean, LOOK at that angle, you totally couldn't have AIMED that tree to hit that van any more thoroughly.

Now, a disclaimer. I did not get this way through any strength or goodness of my own. This faith. It is a gift of God, through and through.

Romans 12:2-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Ephesians 2:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

I would be an imbecile to not trust that God has a GOOD PLAN in everything by now, after seeing His hand work in so many amazing ways throughout my life and especially over the last few months.

And, God gave me little encouragements throughout the day to keep my JOY right up where it should be- He gave me the verse from James 1 right away in the morning, and He gave me the song "I'm a Child of the King"

My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King.

I have a rich daddy- who cares if my van is squashed? No biggy for Him.

Well, after having this especially weird peace and JOY over my poor, squashed minivan, the Geico guy showed up yesterday. He came into our house and handed us the paper entitled "Total Loss Notification." And he had listed the estimated value of our van.

Now let me backtrack to another God-story here. When we were shopping for that van, we had to do some waiting on God, His time frame for when we would get a van was different from ours. But when He supplied that van, He gave us a RIDICULOUSLY good deal on a MUCH NICER van than we really needed.

So, the value written on that sheet? Was just about $3,000.00 more than what we paid for our van just over two years ago. Let me just say that it is only in God's economy that vehicles APPRECIATE in value.

I do not know what God's plan is for that extravagant gift of money. Maybe He knows we are going to need a bigger car. Maybe He knows we are going to need the cash. Maybe He knows of a BIG NEED somewhere in the world, and when we hear about it, we will be prepared to give this money to folks who need it. We are waiting on Him to see how He wants us to use that money. I'll let you know.

But in the meantime, Glory to GOD.

So, back to the 'count it all JOY' thing. Friends, I would like to challenge you to find your JOY in the trials. Because, as weird and not-normal-human-response as it is, it is GOD'S desired response. He has a GOOD PLAN. He is RICH RICH RICH. Paul prays in a number of places for Christians to come to know and understand the ENORMOUS RICHES that are in Christ Jesus. I am starting to understand why. Because, when you understand that God is all-powerful and all-loving and that He is on your side, you can have perfect peace and JOY in the face of any difficulty. (On a random side note, please do not mistake this for prosperity gospel, God does not want to make you rich. I am just saying that HE is rich.)

God wants you to put your emotions where your mouth is and be happy when you see a problem because you KNOW KNOW KNOW in your heart that even if the enemy meant it to harm you, God WILL use it to PERFECT you.

Laughing at trials and smiling at troubles,
XO
Joce

Mommy and Daddy

2012-01-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

I think this goes even more strongly for Joe and 'daddy':

“Mommy." She said it and I knew. She was mine. I was captivated. Because "Mommy" is forever. It's such a powerful name. Mommy means "I trust you." Mommy means "you will protect me." Mommy is for shouting when you need someone dependable and for laughing with when you are excited. Mommy is for crying on and cuddling with when you are sad, or giggling and hiding behind when you are embarrassed. Mommy is the fixer of boo-boos and the mender of broken hearts. Mommy is a comfort place - a safe place. Mommy means "you are mine and I am yours and we are family.”

― Katie J. Davis, Kisses from Katie

Kisses from Katie

2012-01-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

I am now reading Kisses from Katie. She posted on her blog today, and it was such a good reminder. She talks about seeing the beauty in God's process, not just in His end result. It reminds me of the idea to count it all joy when we fall in trials. Not just after we fall into trials and can see God's lovely result- but during the trials. Here's a link to her post.

Enjoy.
XO

Care package opportunity

2012-01-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

From New Horizons:

Dear families,
As a mission team fundraiser, NHFC offers to personally carry “Ziploc” care packages and deliver them to former host children. We accept a gallon ziploc bag of gifts for a $50 donation, quart ziploc bag of gifts for a $25 donation or a flat envelope with flat items/letter/photo/stickers for a $10 donation. The bag must close and a contents list should be showing through. List some type of identifier on the bag such as the child’s name, orphanage, city, country and/or ID#.
Do NOT send items that are not allowed during hosting, no cash and no chocolate, it WILL melt.
Watch the weight and keep it light.
In most cases, we can deliver the package personally and photograph the child. If we cannot for some reason, our in-country coordinator will personally deliver or mail.

Bags to Latvia are due by January 20th and must be mailed to:

New Horizons for Children, 3950 Cobb Parkway Suite 708, Acworth, GA 30101.
Checks are due WITH the bag and are payable to New Horizons for Children

Conference call

2012-01-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

We participated in a conference call last to find out more about the adoption process for Latvia.

I'll keep you updated on how things move along. Our first step is to contact An Open Door Adoption agency and find out if Anastasija is truly available for international adoption.

Another question we will ask is if/when we can contact Anastasija, and what we can tell her. There are funny little things that can mess things up over there, so we want to be very careful.

Please pray for Anastasija at this time, since she has no idea that we are pursuing adopting her. She is a resilient girl, but I am afraid that she might feel abandoned by us, and that thought hurts my heart.

She told me before she left that Jesus is her friend. I pray that her friendship with Christ will sustain her while she is apart from our family. I also know that God has been taking care of her for years and He continues to care for her. She is out the reach of my arms, but not God's.

XO
Joce

Big Decisions

2012-01-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

God is good. He has a good plan.

And, He is faithful to guide those who will wait on Him.

Thank you for your prayers, and thanks to those of you who followed God's nudge and contacted us via email or phone call or FB and told us just what God was telling you.

Thanks to the sister who stayed up at night praying and followed God's nudge to tell us to read His word and trust and obey what it says.

Thanks to the brother who got woken up by a powerful dream about adoption and shared it with us.

Thanks to the sister who got a vision of the permanance of Anastasija in our life.

Thanks to the sister who got a vision of God's Big Plans for Anastasija, whose name means 'resurrection, breaker of the chains,' (from the very first time you saw her picture).

Thanks to the MANY people who have felt burdened to pray for us and have done so diligently over the last few days and weeks. Your prayers have made a difference in our lives.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Thanks thanks thanks.

Thanks to God for being SO ABUNDANTLY CLEAR with us that it is a good thing, a God thing, to pursue making Anastasija a permanant part of our family. I do not know what the future holds, but I know that God loves to place the lonely in families, and that our family is a part of that plan for Anastasija.

One of the coolest things so far has been the way that God has nudged and spoken to various people who we don't even get to spend a lot of time with. Just good, godly folks who spend time talking to God.

Our first step is a conference call tomorrow night at 8. Please keep us in prayer at that time, that our kids will stay (quietly) occupied and that we will learn all we can about this long, complicated process.

XO!
Joce

Anastasija- Breaker of the Chains

2012-01-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Verse of the Day

2012-01-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

A verse:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 NKJV (biblegateway.com verse of the day)

And a thought:

When a needy person stands at your door, God himself stands at his side.

Hebrew Proverb

Christmas Tree

2012-01-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

Brilyn wants to take the tree down on Saturday, before Anastasija leaves, "While the whole family is still together."

Verse of the Day

2012-01-04T09:56:00.001-08:00

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 NKJV

And a thought:
"... not because we are rescuers, but because we are the rescued....."

God's (elusive?) will

2012-01-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

WARNING: Very honest post ahead.
-----------------------------------------------
In the middle of a Christian culture asking. “How do I find God’s will for my life?” “What do you want me to do God?” The answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples. The question, therefore, is not “Can we find God’s will?” The question is “Will we obey God’s will?”

The message of biblical Christianity is God loves me so that I might make him- his ways, his salvation, his glory, and his greatness- known among all nations. God centers on himself, even in our salvation. Remember in Ezekiel: he saves us, not for our sake, but for the sake of his holy name. The most glorious reason you exist is for the proclamation of the glory of God to the ends of the world.
~David Platt, Radical
---------------------------------------------------------

Joe and I are faced with a Big Decision (BD). Should we wait for a(nother) miraculous sign from God to let us know we should say 'Yes' to the BD? Or are we just shuffling our feet, knowing in our hearts that God has already made His will known? Or am I just leaning toward "yes" for my own reasons and God is actually trying to tell me "No" or "Not now" and I have my fingers in my ears? LALALALALA.

I have been reading George Muller's biography over the last few months. He, like me, had good and bad tendencies- good tendency: trusting that God can and will provide all we need; bad tendency: getting ahead of God because we are just so excited to do His work.

God's plan for George (and for me) had times of waiting and growing, not doing. God worked that out so George would be ready when it was time. God's time.

I know God has a plan. A good plan. And I know that the plan He has is one to prosper, to give a future and a hope. OOH! OOH! I KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A FUTURE AND A HOPE! Is it MY heart and MY home that will help provide that future and hope? Will I be Christ's hands and arms and hugs to This Person?

I know God sets the lonely in families. OOH! OOH! I know a lonely Person who needs a family. And, I HAVE a family!

I know God wants me to care for orphans and widows. Oh! Look- I have an orphan RIGHT HERE.

Adoption is obviously something God is into. He DOES that kind of thing. He COMMANDS us to do it. Adoption is a major theme in the gospel.

Please pray for us. Pray that God will draw us to HIM, and that our hearts would be quiet and good at listening to His still small voice. That we would be willing to WAIT on Him, having faith that He will answer.

XO
Joce

Weird

2011-12-31T12:34:00.000-08:00

I read the intoduction to Weird by Craig Groeschel. I watched his first sermon in the Weird series.

I'm glad I did. Because it's good to know that at least I'm weird in a God way. Because there is no question I am weird. People's facial expressions when speaking with me as of late have provided all the confirmation I needed in case I wasn't already completely convinced of my weird-ness.

The puzzled expressions about why we would host a child from Latvia in our home, at Christmas, the busiest time of year, when I am 8 months pregnant, when we already have 'our hands full,' when she obviously wasn't 'starving in Latvia or anything,' when there are plenty of American children who need stuff, when we're not sure how it might affect our biological children, etc, etc.

The straight up confusion when we say that we'll go where God leads- even into an international adoption that requires three trips overseas and, oh, about 30,000 dollars. If God leads us, we will follow.

The main question that people seem to be struggling with is, "Why?" Why spend so much money to host a child for 4 weeks? Why consider expensive international adoption when you obviously have no trouble making your own kids?

Katie Davis, author of Kisses from Katie, and adoptive mother of 14 girls, answers some of the why questions with wisdom and grace in this excerpt from her book:

"A sweet friend pointed me yesterday to Genesis Chapter 33. Esau and Jacob are meeting for the first time in a long time. As Jacob approaches Esau, with his many children following close behind, Esau asks, “ And who are these with you?”
Jacob’s reply: “These are the children that the Lord saw fit to bless me with.”
We get all the questions. “Why do you do it?” “Why so many?” “How in the world…” “Why these specific girls?” “Why the number 14?” “Do you think its ok to adopt as a single Mother? Don’t they need a father too?” “Do you think they will have issues since you are not the same race?” We also get the compliments. “I don’t know how you do it!” “Good job!” “You must be so responsible!” “Your girls must be so well behaved.” We get crazy stares and huge smiles and every look in between.
Adoption is beautiful. Adoption is hard. Adoption is the Gospel of Christ and the promise of God’s love and redemption lived out in our lives. So I ask for your prayers. Prayers for understanding and peace and trust and the power of God that is more than all I can ask or imagine. And to the questions and the comments and the compliments, this is my reply: “These are the children that the Lord saw fit to bless me with.”"

For these four weeks the Lord has seen fit to bless me with a ten year old girl, in addition to the 3 I have already given birth to, and the one currently sitting on my bladder. These are the children the Lord saw fit to bless me with this Christmastime.

I know I am weird. I am listening to a still small voice that leads me on a narrow path that few can comprehend and even fewer choose to take. When God gives a direction, I follow it. If God sees fit to bless me with a child for four weeks, I will feel as blessed and honored and humbled as when He puts little people in my womb. If God leads me on a path that involves money I don't have and travel beyond my wildest Rick Steves' Europe PBS dreams- WOW! Cool. Let's see how He works THIS one out.

Why did we host? Because God told us to. Directly and generally: "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:" Psalm 68:6

Anastasija has not been lonely these last few weeks. In fact she could probably stand a little less attention from a certain 4 year old. She has shared a room with a 'sister' and earned a place in the heart of a two year old who asks, "Where's 'Nastasija?" She has been snuggled and loved and doted on. She has been accepted and cared for. She has been set in a family. God did that, because that's what He DOES.

XO

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

Gift list

2011-12-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

I know that some of you are waiting to see what kind of things Anastasija needs and can take back to Latvia with her when she leaves.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE STICK TO THIS LIST.

Items can be new or like new. Designer name brands are NOT GOOD. Those kinds of items usually get stolen back at the orphanage.
High-quality, modest, cute (as compared to 'cool'), classic (as compared to 'trendy') clothes are best. Osh Kosh, Hanna Andersson, etc.

NEW INFO: Size 8/9. She's tall and thin.

You can see what has been given so far, in green. I have noted whether it was received NEW or HD (handed-down), so that if anyone wants to buy something new as a Christmas gift, you can see if she already has a new one of that item. If it is crossed out, it means that item has been fulfilled and no more are needed.

1. Disposable cameras.
2. ~~Photo album or scrapbook.~~ (Recieved, NEW)
3. ~~Journal, small notepad, cool pens, markers, etc.~~ (NEW)
4. ~~Bible in Latvian.~~
5. ~~Small, light, manipulative toys, not battery operated. Yo-yo, small doll, etc.~~
6. ~~Cheap, off-brand MP3 or CD's. CLEAN lyrics. Christian artists preferred.~~ (NEW)
7. ~~Gloves, hats, scarves.~~ (Received 2 hats, HD) (Mini Stretch gloves, 4 pr, NEW)
8. Sunglasses.
9. ~~Inexpensive jewelry, silly bands, etc.~~
10. ~~Candy.~~ (Milk Duds, Mike and Ike)
11. Tickets for an event here in the Rochester area. (Received, tickets to 'A Christmas Carol,' Batavia Players, Invitation to go to Play Museum)
12. ~~Craft items from Michaels's- paint by number, plastic suncatcher kits, etc~~. (Friendship Bracelet Floss/Kit, Perler Beads, NEW)
13. Board games- travel size, card games, etc.
14. ~~Small purse/ wallet.~~ (Pink polka dot zip make-up bag, NEW)
15. Watch.
16. Thin, lightweight cute/girly blanket.
17. ~~Cute wall calendar.~~
18. ~~Slippers.~~ (Two pair fuzzy slipper socks, NEW)
19. ~~Crocheting supplies.~~ (NEW)
20. ~~Hygiene items like toothbrush, hairbrush, nice smelling lotion/ body spray, body wash, etc.~~ (Hair bands, 2 mini nail polish, flip open brush, Chapstick, lipgloss, NEW)

Other items to send home with Anastasjia: (these could be given as gifts as well)
~~Sneakers (Size 3)~~ (NEW)
~~Winter boots~~ (NEW)
~~3-4 pair socks~~ (NEW)
~~3-4 pair underwear~~ (NEW)
One hand towel, one wash cloth
~~****One nice dress (A Christmas dress that could be worn all winter would be awesome!)****~~
~~2-3 winter outfits~~ (Recieved some, HD, and some NEW)
2-3 summmer outfits
1 one-piece bathing suit
~~One good winter coat~~ (Received, HD)
Pajamas (Received, - 1 pair, and some comfy pants, HD)
Somthing to share with other kids at orphange- like silly bands....

If you buy something for Anastasija off this list, please leave a comment or contact me some other way so I can use this post kind of like a registry- once something is received I will remove it from the list.

XO

Your favorite kind of post...

2011-12-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

Dentists and Preschool Christmas Parties

2011-12-20T10:09:00.000-08:00

The title says it all.

LOL. Poor Anastasija got a cavity filled and I went to Cade's preschool party with Jessup. I don't know who did more whining and cringing. That's a joke- the filling wasn't that bad.

Actually, I am glad to have gotten to go with just the boys to the party. Jessup was stinkin adorable with his "ho-ho-ho's" and blond wringlets. Cade was the proudest little dude ever- he was so excited to give me all the little presents he has been creating at school for the last few weeks.

Today is the last day of hunting. Amen.

Can't wait to see my husband.

XO

Establishing Home

2011-12-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

So Anastasija is no longer a guest- she is a member of the household.
We are working little details out as subtle and not-so-subtle changes in routines and relationships are sorted out.

Anastasija needs her role as biggest, but newest, kid defined.
Brilyn needs her role as not-quite-the-biggest-in-age, but oldest-in-seniority kid defined.
Cade just needs to stop pestering the girls and play with Jessup sometimes.
Jessup needs to stop playing in the sink and giving mommy anxiety about what the heck he is doing- now...where is he?!?!?

Ah. A time of transition. It's always a lot of work. This time some of the difficulties come from one of the children not speaking too much English and from one of the children having just turned an adorable two years old.

What's a mommy to do? Pray a lot.

1. I pray for the fruit of the spirit to show up in my interactions in my home with my kids as I strive to train them in the ways of God.
2. I pray that God would teach me to rely on His strength. Some days, I have sufficient energy to do a decent job without leaning on God so much, but then a day like yesterday comes along and I remember that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness. The reality is, I need to learn to rely on God ALL THE TIME. Not just when I'm a mess. Then, the transitions from days of mostly-even-emotions and decent-levels-of-energy to days of amazing-tiredness and abominable-irritability won't be so rough. I'll let you know when I get that one all figured out. LOL.

I'm not cool....

2011-12-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

The kids are all upstairs sleeping/ reading/ etc.
So I have a few seconds before I fall asleep.

I just want to say thanks to all of you who have been amazing prayer support during the last 6 or so weeks. I want to thank you because I want to put the focus on those who pray and Him who answers. I have had some folks say that what we are doing is so cool and awesome and inspiring- but I just want to make an official statement: "I'm not cool." (Some of you are just so surprised I bet you can't contain your laughter) LOL.

GOD is cool. He has orchestrated something in our life that is absolutely blowing us away. Honestly our only contribution to this whole awesome thing is willingness to trust and obey God. And that is easy, because He has spent years proving to us that He is faithful. We are not even that quick of learners, we have just seen His hand in our life over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over- okay, you get it.

God called us to Him. He showed is He is trustworthy. He has taught us that His burden is light. That's it. We have done nothing to earn any credit.

This awesome amazing adventure is a gift straight from God. I am humbled by what He has done in our lives. So thank YOU for your prayers- I have never experienced God so clearly, in so many ways, so frequently, over such a big undertaking with so many little details that need attending to, and every little thing falling into place. We have learned even more fully that God has a good plan.

I am glad that God is using our adventure to inspire others. But, I am even more humbled by that fact. Please don't look too closely at us, but turn your eyes to heaven and praise the Lord for all He has done. He's better for that kind of thing. :)

XO

Holy Spirit in the Heart

2011-12-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

So, there is this amazing phenomenon going around. I think it must be the Holy Spirit.

This scenario has gone down over and over during the past weeks:
*** I meet up with a friend or acquaintance. They say "I have been praying like crazy for the past X amount of days. I have been praying for Anastasija and your family. I can't stop thinking about her. I feel so much LOVE for that girl and I've never even met her." ***

Yeah. A lot of you reading will recognize your owns words and thoughts. The crazy part is that you are not the only one. I have heard this from, I'll guesstimate, 10 people. The Holy Spirit did the same thing to me, so I know what you are talking about. I saw Anastasija's picture and profile on the New Horizon's website, and had a full week of fervent, unexplained constant prayer and an instant, complete, bonded love for her.

The same thing happened to Joe when he met her at the airport- instant, complete, perfect love.

God is doing something. It is amazing. And He is letting me and my family be a major part of it. I am truly humbled and really excited.

Thanks for your prayers.
XO

She's HERE!

2011-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

Wow. Anastasija is upstairs having quiet/rest time with the other kiddos.

A few tidbits about her so far:
She is sweet and loving.
She loves to help with Jessup.
She has a sense of humor.
She knows 20-40 English words/phrases that help A LOT with communication. There is nothing we haven't been able to communicate so far.
She loves pizza.
She plays well with Brilyn.
She LOVES Joe.
She calls us mommy and daddy.
She saw a pair of socks with reindeer on them today, and said, "Haha, daddy shoot these."
She likes Home Alone: Lost in New York. She knows the movie (almost) as well as I do.
She is reluctant to let us learn any Latvian- she just wants us to speak English.
She likes to play the piano- it sounds like she has some play-by-ear talent.
She loves the clothes in her drawers.
She has NO jet lag.
She follows our routines like she has always been here.
She would eat her weight in apples.
She loves the cat.

Prayer request: Some of the kids from Ukraine are having some paperwork problems with coming here for Christmas. Please pray that God would work all things to His glory.

XO

On Christmas Presents

2011-12-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

A quote from a friend on facebook:
"After spending a few weeks sorting through, literally, every single thing in my parents' home we were overwhelmed with all the *stuff* that we gave them and we are now either selling, donating, keeping for ourselves or sadly, throwing in the trash. This holiday season, please reconsider the gifts that you will be giving. Just spend time with the people that you love; have them over for dinner, take them to a movie, just sit and talk with them. You will not regret doing this. Merry Christmas indeed."

And, an article by Ann Voskamp, author of '1,000 Gifts,' shared with me by Hanna (thank you Hanna).

XO
Joce

JFK and back again

2011-12-06T10:23:00.000-08:00

Joe will be flying Sunday morning at 6. He will be there in plenty of time to meet Anastasija, whose plane should land around 11 a.m. and who should be out of customs by about 1:30. They have a return flight to Rochester at 3:30 p.m. and should arrive here (!) at around 5:15 p.m.!!!!!!!!!!!

The kiddos and I will head up there to meet them at the Rochester airport.

Please pray for Joe as he travels this Sunday.

Please pray for ANASTASIJA as she travels a ridiculously long way. The total estimated time of travel for the kids in the host program is about 40 hours by the time they reach JFK. Bus, train, then plane.....and finally they end up on the other side of the planet, jet lagged and exhausted.
Please pray that Anastasija will find ways to be comfortable during her trip, and that she will safe and be able to relax when Joe picks her up in NYC. Pray that she will feel comforted and secure on her flight to Rochester, and that she will feel the love and joy that all of my not-jet-lagged kids will be trying to express.

One of the best ways to help people overcome jet-lag is to have them outside in the sunshine, so pray for a crisp, sunshiney day with snow on the ground for Monday- we'll plan to go down to McPherson's and get our tree that afternoon.

THANK YOU for your prayers. There is no doubt that prayer is powerful and absolutely necessary.

XO

Give This Christmas Away: Anastasija's Wish

2011-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

This is a sticky post, it will stay at the top of this page until December 14th. Please scroll down to see the most recent posts.

Please do not use PayPal, active.com, or mail checks to New Horizons beginning November 28th.

We sent a check to New Horizons for the remaining amount on December 1st. As of November 28, please make checks out to Joe and Jocelyn Rebisz, instead of New Horizons.

Help Anastasija spend Christmas with a real family- our family.

Our family is raising money to host Anastasija this Christmas through New Horizons for Children. New Horizons for Children brings orphans from Latvia, Russia, and Ukraine to the USA twice a year, summer and winter, to be hosted with loving families. Please help us raise money to cover costs: airfare, documentation, medical insurance, chaperones, etc.

Let's get this thank- you list so long it gets boring to read all the names. :)

Thank you! Tom Frew
Thank you! Sara Cowherd
Thank you! Ruth Magin
Thank you! Amy Thompson
Thank you! MaryAnn March
Thank you! Laura Borycki
Thank you! Kara Riedl
Thank you! Russ and Erin Dawson
Thank you! Annie Clemm
Thank you! David and Krysta Stacy
Thank you! Craig Wilcox
Thank you! Eric Gravelle
Thank you! Grace Keller
Thank you! Shawn Clark
Thank you! Julie Wasilewski
Thank you! Lois Bradt
Thank you! Jamie Polhamus
Thank you! Megan Williams
Thank you! Chris and Hanna Erion
Thank you! Michele and Keith Keberle
Thank you! Joe and Cyndy Rebisz
Thank you! Delores and Gordon Seward
Thank you! Seth and Becka MacNear
Thank you! Joanne Privitera
Thank you! Dick and Shirley vonBergen
Thank you! Linda Chaya
Thank you! John Rebisz
Thank you! Adam and Nicole Moore
Thank you! Dave and Chris Wright
Thank you! Evans family
Thank you! Hanna Erion, the MARY KAY lady
Thank you! Nicole Kelly
Thank you! Jodi Coburn
Thank you! Ron and Ruth Koch, Mia Bella fundraiser
Thank you! Julie and Nate Varland
Thank you! Fred and Eunie Ely

If you have donated to New Horizons in our name, and do not see your name here, please contact me and let me know that you gave.

Total amount given so far: $2,450.00 (+$500.00 scholarship through New Horizons)
Amount still needed: WE DID IT! Thank you GOD!
Total amount to be raised: $2,950.00

JFK update

2011-11-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

Joe checked out the prices to fly to JFK from Rochester. Looks like he'll be flying down there for $59.00. That is super sweet. You can't DRIVE for that price.

Please pray that he'll find a so sweet a price for his and Anastasija's flight from JFK to Rochester.

XO

God has a Good Plan

2011-11-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

So, God has met all our needs so far in this adventure. The one need left from the original prayer list is about getting to JFK to pick her up in just two weeks.

The one thing I have learned well in the last month or so is that God has a good plan. So, I know that He has a good plan for picking Anastasija up from an airport that is almost 400 miles away.

I am praying that He will show me the plan, and give me the strength to do it. And I have complete confidence that He will do both. And that is will be good.

The constant, amazing, supernatural, obvious way God has arranged this whole process gives me confidence. I have confidence that this is exactly what God would have us to do. It gives me confidence that God has a plan for Anastasija. It gives me confidence that she is the exact fatherless child that He has had in mind from the beginning of time to be with our family this Christmas. It gives me confidence that God cares for His children. It gives me confidence in the power of prayer. It gives me confidence in obeying God even when it seems impossible. It gives me confidence that He will continue to come through in all things- whether financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual- my God will supply all my need according to His marvelous riches in Christ Jesus.

I have learned more about God in the last month than I can possibly express- simply because I obeyed Him. I highly recommend it to all who seek Him.
Obey Him.
Find Him to be more than you ever could have imagined.

XO
Joce

Heading to Reading (It rhymes)

2011-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

Yep! So tomorrow I'm off to Reading, PA to attend the host parent training.
There were a few bumps in the road, but GOD HAS A GOOD PLAN is still a true statement.
The way it ends up, the training has to be held about an hour away from Reading, but it will be earlier in the day. I will be done by 3 pm on Saturday instead of 5 pm, so I will be home Saturday night! Sweet! And the place it will be held is just a little closer than Reading, so my drive home will only be 5 hours. Sweet!
God has a good plan!

We had our home study last night. It seems that it went very well. I don't expect any problems on that front.

My next post will be a list of things that we need for Anastasija while she is here. There is a list of things from New Horizons that she is allowed to take back to the orphanage with her, so we'll start with those things. Stay tuned.

Thanks for all your prayers and donations so far. God has proved Himself faithful to provide again and again. I am really learning to trust and believe that God has a good plan!

XO
Joce

Mia Bella Candles!

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Candles
Hey friends! I am selling Mia Bella candles as a fundraiser for Anastasija! The candles are listed below with a description. The cost is just $20.00 per 16 oz. jar, and 25% of that goes directly to cover Anastasija's plane fare, medical insurance, etc.
Mia Bella candles are clean burning, triple scented, naturally scented candles made with a natural wax blend.
They are a healthy alternative that doesn't produce irritating black soot in your home. These gourmet candles are made up of a blend of natural wax ingredients, comprised of vegetables and other natural renewable resources. These candles are highly scented with fragrance that's amazingly realistic.
Please email me, or call me, or message me on facebook to order your candle!
Blessings!
Jocelyn

16oz. Jars

Angel Wings-A unique aroma of cherry vanilla and one of our most popular fragrances
Apple Cinnamon-Ripe apples sprinkled with cinnamon gives this candle its charm - perfect for any time of the year!
Chili Vanilli-Blended in perfect harmony, the unique, refreshing scent of Sweet Orange and Chili Pepper mixed with Vanilla produces an amazing fragrance sure to please!
Christmas Pine-The wonderful Christmas tree aroma of the holiday season is now available any time you want! Incredibly realistic scent will have your friends thinking that fake tree is real!
Creme Brulee-A rich sweet butterscotch fragrance just like the decadent dessert without all of the calories!
French Vanilla-A creamy confection with a strong vanilla scent and popular year-round fragrance.
Harvest Time-Experience this comforting fragrance combination of warm apples and spices reminiscent of a crisp autumn day
Holiday Memories-Snuggle up by the fireplace with a soft blanket as the smell of ginger and cinnamon with a touch of vanilla bring back the memories of yore
Hot Apple Pie-Watch out! This smells so much like hot baked apple pie that your family will think you are always baking!
Mulberry Spice-A strong scent of spice and dark red mulberry fruit and a favorite of many for it's strong, yet pleasant smell. Perfect for the holidays or any time of the year.
Pumpkin Cheesecake-A rich creamy blend of cheesecake and pumpkin combine for this amazing aroma.
Pumpkin Spice-Hot pumpkin pie, fresh from the oven!
Snow Place Like Home-A comforting blend of warm spices combined with the sweet tart essence of cranberries makes this one a winner for those cozy fall and winter days.
Spiced Cranberry-A wonderful fruity and spicy scent that fills the room with a pleasing aroma - a perfect candle for any season!
Sweet Orange & .Chili Pepper-A zingy, zesty, orange-eeee smell that you will never forget! It rose to the top as one of our most popular fragrances immediately! Get one today and see for yourself.

Thanks for your help in giving Anastasija the gift of family this Christmas!

In the oven.....COOKIES!

2011-11-11T13:03:00.001-08:00

FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER KISS COOKIES

www.RecipeGirl.com

2 1/2 cups smooth (creamy) peanut butter
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
sugar for rolling (*see tips below)
Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses, unwrapped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners. Make room in either freezer (preferred) or refrigerator for cookie sheets (*see step 4).

2. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer at medium speed to beat peanut butter, brown sugar and baking soda until well blended (about 1 minute). Add eggs and vanilla and mix on low speed until just blended.

3. Scoop out about 1 1/2 Tablespoon scoops and roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll into sugar and place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

4. Bake until cookies are puffed and crackled but still a little bit moist looking, 11 to 13 minutes. As soon as you remove the cookie sheet from the oven, press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Immediately place cookie sheet into the freezer (or refrigerator) to set the kisses (they’ll begin to melt a bit as soon as you place them on the cookie). Remove from chill as soon as kisses are set.

Yield: 3- 4 dozen

Source: Adapted from a peanut butter cookie recipe by Abby Dodge

Tips:
*For rolling sugar… I think it looks best if you use chunky sparkling sugar, but you can certainly use regular sugar too. If you’re making these as holiday cookies, roll them in red and green sugars for a more festive look!
*These cookies may be stored at room temperature in a covered container for up to a week. They may also be frozen and defrosted when you’re ready to eat them. They should be just fine in the freezer for a few weeks, as long as they’re stored in a sealed container.
*The texture of these is a little softer than the classic Kiss cookie recipe. These are great for a platter, but they wouldn’t package and mail very well.

10 Ways to Care for Orphans 6-10

2011-11-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

6. VISIT them where they are

Go on a mission trip to an orphanage as an individual or family. Visit GainUSA.org or HelpOrphans.org for information.
Take dinner to a foster group-home on a regular basis.

7. GIVE sacrificially to them

Support reputable orphan care organizations on a regular basis.
Contribute generously to an adoptive family to help offset their costs. Visit ShaohannahsHope.org or LifeSongForOrphans.org.

8. ENCOURAGE them to press on

Sponsor a child, support them financially, and encourage them through your letters. Visit VsionTrust.org to learn more.
Become a mentor or tutor to a teenager in a foster group-home.

9. ADOPT them into your family

Give a child a home through international, domestic, or foster care adoption.
Adopt a young adult who has aged out of the system.

10. MOBILIZE your church for them

Be a catalyst in your church for starting a sustained orphans ministry. Visit HopeForOrphans.org for resources and to learn more about attending a Your Church and the Orphan™ workshop.

His Word Strengthens Me

2011-11-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 10:
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 “ For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

10 Ways You Can Care for an Orphan or Waiting Child- Day 5

2011-11-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

5. PROTECT them from harm.
9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
~Psalm 146

Orphans and foster kids are IN DANGER.
Orphans girls are in danger of human trafficking (85% of orphan girls will be sold through human trafficking once they age out from the orphanage).
Orphan boys are in danger of all kinds of violence (75% of orphan boys will turn to drugs, crime, or be sold through human trafficking once they age out from the orphanage).
Foster kids are being abused. Right now.
They need to be protected.
Do you care? Really. Consider it. What is the truthful answer to that question?

Become a foster parent or emergancy foster parent.
Raise money to build a children's home to help provide shelter to kids on the street. Visit WorldOrphans.org for details.

10 Ways to Care for Orphans and Waiting Children- Day 4

2011-11-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

4. SUPPORT those who support them
²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
~Hebrews 10

Mow, babysit, or organize meals for a week for foster parents. Pray with them and tell them you appreciate what they do.
Encourage a family adopting an older child by hosting a shower for them.

XO
Joce

10 Ways You Can Care for Orphans- Day 3

2011-11-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

3. PROVIDE for their needs.
¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
~James 2

I am only going to use one bullet point, because I want you to seriously consider it:

Find a reputable organization that cares for orphans. Give them money on a regular basis.

XO

Update on today's party:
Brilyn's Give This Christmas Away Party went amazingly well- an answer to prayer. Every chair had a child in it. Every single chair.
Brilyn invited friends to her party, and asked them to bring:
1. Something to put in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox for a girl age 5-9 and a boy age 2-4.
2. A Bible story picture book.
3. A donation of $1.00 to buy Bibles through Gospel for Asia.

We now have two full baskets of toys, lots of Bible stories, and enough money to buy, oh, 3,000 Bible tracts in the recipients' native language. Praise God!

Kneeling Prayer

2011-11-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

I think there is something to be said for kneeling prayer.
I was taking a nap today, and the phone rang twice in a row, and then I wasn't really napping anymore.
And, I felt a nudge to get up off the couch, and kneel there to pray. So, I did.
I prayed about a lot of things, one of which was Anastasija. And that I could use some reassurance that we are taking the right road.
Well, I just checked my email, and there in my inbox is a notice that we received another donation, and that we have been accepted as a host family!

Thank you GOD!

XO

10 Ways You Can Care for Orphans and Waiting Children- Day 2

2011-11-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

2. SPEAK up for them

8 Open your mouth for the speechless,

In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
~Proverbs 31

Tell people about the reality of orphans and waiting children in the US and around the world.
Be ready to tell them how to help. Know some organizations to refer them to.
Blog about orphans, post about it on facebook, talk about it work and at church.
Start a small group or prayer group that focuses on promoting the cause of the fatherless.
Remind your church family that we are commanded to care for orphans.

10 Things You Can Do to Care for Orphans and Waiting Children: Day 1

2011-11-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

1. PRAY for them

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
~Matthew 7

Tape a waiting child's picture to your dashboard and pray for the child every time you're in the car. Visit adoptuskids.org or RainbowKids.com.
Organize an evening prayer vigil at your church and pray for children in foster care or an orphanage overseas.
Pray for the orphans, like Anastasija, who will be spending Christmas in the US with families like yours, and mine. Check them out here: http://www.newhorizonsforchildren.org/prephoto.html

Please share other ideas you have for ways to pray for the fatherless.

XO

Orphan Sunday

2011-11-02T07:15:00.001-07:00

To Russia, with Love

2011-11-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Our family's welcome letter to Anastasija:

Dear Anastasija,

Hello sweet girl! We are excited that you are coming to our house to help us celebrate Christmas. In our family we have 5 people: Joe (the father); Jocelyn (the mother); Brilyn (a 6 year old girl); Cade (a 4 year old boy); and Jessup (a 2 year old boy). We live in the country, not a city. We have some farm animals: a cow named Clara Belle, a horse named Hannah, a white cat and a calico cat, and lots of chickens. It will be fun to have you meet the animals.

We like to go for walks in the woods to hear the sounds of birds and see God's creation. We think it will be lovely to have you go on walks with us. If there is snow, we like to sled downhill, and build snowmen.

Some of my neighbors put lots of Christmas lights on their houses. We like to take a drive and go look at the lights and drink hot chocolate.

We go to church on Christmas Eve and everyone there gets to hold a candle and sing Christmas songs. It is very beautiful.

We are looking forward to meeting you. The children think it will be nice to have a 10 year old to play with. Brilyn is happy you are girl because all she has is brothers to play with so far. Jocelyn hopes you like cookies because she makes lots at Christmas time.

May God keep you in His arms till you are safely here.

Joe, Jocelyn, Brilyn, Cade, and Jessup Rebisz

Please pray that this letter will bring joy and peace to her heart, and begin to prepare her to join our family for Christmas.

XO

That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown

2011-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

Update on Anastasija:

We are currently filling out the 17 page application to host. We'll be mailing it tomorrow!

A friend sent me a message this morning with the meaning of Anastasija:

From the Greek Ανάσταση Anástasi̱ meaning "resurrection."

Meaning "resurrection"
"breaker of the chains"

Wow. That is God's little nudge of encouragement for the day.
Talk about a purpose in this adventure: raising the dead, breaking the chains.

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

XO

Give This Christmas Away, Here at the Rebisz House

2011-10-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well. Something is happening in my life that cannot be limited to facebook posts.
On October 20th, my friend Hanna posted a link to New Horizons for Children, a foreign orphan hosting program. I clicked on it, and saw Anastasija. And fell in love. She would not get out of my head. Every waking moment, (which are many, especially at night- thank you bladder, heart burn, and restless legs) I was praying for her. Wishing hoping she might be able to come for Christmas here. Joe was not as excited. He was more practical. How much is this going to cost? Will it really make a difference in her life? What are the dates she would be here? Etc.
So, I began to pray. I need to write this down because the way God shows His hand over and over is astonishing.
1. My husband needs to be 100% sure.
2. The dates need to fit GCC's break so Anastasija can stay in our guest room.
3. A scholarship would be a good sign that God wants us to do this.
4. I need a place to stay for a training in PA.
5. I need to get to JFK airport to pick he rup and take her back.

First one answered- GCC's break dates match the hosting dates almost to the day. Kelsey (our college student) will be leaving for home about 3 days before Anastasija arrives, and will come back about a week after Anastasija leaves. This answer to prayer started Joe to thinking God might have a hand in this crazy scheme.

Second one answered- After praying for a week straight, and after a Thursday morning quiet time spent on my knees (literally), God sends Anastasija a $500.00 scholarship. I truly got up from my prayer time and logged into my email to find out that she had received a scholarship.

Third one answered- After posting a prayer request about Anastasija on FB, I got a call from a prayer partner and gave the specifics of what would be needed to get Anastasija here for Christmas. That person got down on their knees right then and started praying. God nudged this person to go check the God-money envelope, and there is the exact amount I had just mentioned needing for the program. This person felt led to give it to us. WHOA WHOA WHOA. Joe took this as sign that it is GOD! So now he's 100%.

Fourth one in the works- I just happened to mention to Kara that I need to go specifically to Reading, PA, for a training. She just happened to talk to Deb about it. Deb just happens to have a cousin there who just happened to call her out of the blue yesterday. I'll keep you posted. :)

It has been so hard for me to wait to see God work in all of this. What a long week- I just wanted to jump in and get going. But God taught me to wait on Him, trust Him, and see Him do glorious things. Not in my strength, but in His strength, in His time.

Stay tuned for how God will help my family Give This Christmas Away this year.
XOXO

Oh! And pray! Here she is:

Anastasija- age 10- Latvia

Blackberry + Peach = Love

2011-08-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

So, real quick, while the jars have their hot water bath-

Blackberry Peach Preserves

5 C peaches, pitted, pealed
3 C blackberries
1/2 C lemon juice
5 C sugar

In a large pot, combine peaches, blackberries, and lemon juice. Mash it up. Bring to a rolling boil. Add sugar all at once. Stir, bring back to boil over high heat. Stir! Stir for 10 minutes. Add 1 T butter to reduce foaming. Keep stirring.

For full instructions on safe canning, see http://www.pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm

Ladel into sterilized jars. Hot water bath, 15 minutes.

(Recommended: Have some fresh preserves over some vanilla ice cream. Feel the love. Yup.)

What's for lunch?

2011-06-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

1/2 pound garlic scapes
basil leaves
3/4 C olive oil
1/4 C lemon juice
2 C parmesan cheese

Cut scapes into 3 inch pieces, place scapes, basil and olive oil in blender. Blend till desired consistancy.
Pour into bowl, add lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

Eat it on crackers, chips, pasta, etc.

XO

from the mouths of babes

2011-05-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

My kids have recently started having great conversations.

1:

Joe comes home from fishing. The sweet children ask him if he caught anything. "Yes," he says, "a pike."
Cade, being only four and having less expreience with such things, asks, "Why didn't you bring it home?"
Brilyn, having more experience in these things, states, "Because they taste like garbage."
"Garbage, Daddy?" asks Cade, for clarification.
"Well, mud, really." answers the daddy.
"Oh, well, then Cade would like to eat them, I guess," says Brilyn in a mocking tone.
And Cade, picking up on the implication, with perfect comedic timing, states, "I don't eat mud. ..... Anymore."

2.

It is Brilyn's birthday slumber party. We are all watching Barney's Imagination Island when Alexis asks me a question.
"Where do babies live before the mommy gets pregnant?"
I pause, thinking of how to explain the creation part of procreation and how new souls are formed, when Brilyn pipes up in her I-know-the-answer-to-this-question tone of voice.
"They are in God's hand until He puts them in their mommy's belly. They stay there until it is time for them to be born. I know this because I have had that experience."

Gotta love those kids.

Farm kids say the funniest things...

2011-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Story 1.

~from the backseat:

Cade: We can't give our milk to Hanna!

Mommy: Why not?

Cade: What if we get a bunch of cookies?

Mommy: We have a whole cow full of milk at home. Don't be greedy.

Brilyn: Don't worry Cade, when Clara has a baby, we'll have lots of milk. Mom, when are we going to get Clara bred?

Mommy: Couple months from now.

Cade: Why are going to give her bread?

Brilyn: Not GIVE her bread, GET her bred. Let me tell you what that means. Get her pregnant. A vegetarian will come over and bred her.

Story 2:
~from the barnyard:

Daddy: Cade, get the chickens out of the barn.

Cade, a few minutes later: I did it daddy, and I made it so they won't go back in.

Daddy: What do you mean? The door is still open.

Cade: I used this! It tells the chickens, "stay off my property," right Daddy?

That's right folks, Cade had propped a posted sign next to the barn door.

XOXO
Joce

Today...pie

2011-04-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

I need some pie.
Elderberry pie.
And, I don't feel like using pounds and pounds of butter- I can't afford it.
Luckily I was able to find a recipe from one of my favorite cooks- Lovina Eicher.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup lard
1 large egg
1/3 cup cold water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

To make the dough:
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir to blend. Add the lard and rub it into the flour with your finger tips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg, water, and vinegar and stir with a fork until the dry ingredients are moistened. Form the dough into a ball and divide that into 3 balls. Form a ball into a disk and roll it out to a 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface.

Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges to a 1-inch overhang. Fold the dough under and crimp the edges. If not using now, form the remaining 2 balls of dough into disks, place each in a resealable plastic bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.

The pie will be elderberry. From allrecipes:

4 cups elderberries
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2.Mix cornstarch in a little bit of water and add to berries and sugar. Cook, stirring constantly until desired thickness. Add more cornstarch if not thick enough. Add lemon juice.

3.Pour into bottom crust. Dot with butter. Put on top crust or make a lattice.

4.Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) until browned and berries are bubbling through holes in the crust, approximately 40 minutes.

5.Note: It is a good idea to put a pan or foil under the pie as it bakes since it might bubble over.

I am now going to go make the pie. And then eat the pie. Because, that was the point of this whole thing. LOL.

Treating Croup

2011-01-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Open a window
Turn on the humidifier
Prop up their mattress
Add lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint to the humidifier water
Make a rub of the above essential oils as well
Give the baby a bath in it, too
Give all the kids some Emergen-C
Nurse the baby
Add FenuThyme to the sick baby's applesauce
Add some Olive Leaf extract, too
Put a movie on for the other kids, give the mommy a nap
Make a mash of fresh garlic, rosemary, thyme, and good olive oil, spread it on toast
Give the kid some Throat Coat tea with honey in it
Annoint the baby with Gentle Baby essential oil mix, pray for healing
Kiss the baby's head a lot

XOXO
Joce

All of God's Critters

2010-12-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

2010-12-10T08:50:00.001-08:00

Peace On Earth

2010-12-07T10:09:00.001-08:00

14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Peace.

Here is a paraphrase of something I read today about peace (Rick Warren, The Purpose of Christmas):

We will not have peace in the world until we have peace in our nations.
We will not have peace in our nation until we have peace in our communities.
We will not have peace in our community until we have peace in our families.
We will not have peace in our family until we have peace in ourselves.
And we will not have peace in ourselves until we allow the Prince of Peace to
rule in our hearts.

Please be a peacemaker this season to everyone you meet. In the store, in your families, at parties.
Take the strife around you and turn it to peace by being Christ to your friends and family members.
Let go of the hurts and injustices that will be coming your way this season. Let go of being offended.
Speak peace to the offender.

Peace be with you,
Joce

Blessing

2010-11-22T06:02:00.001-08:00

Count 'em: 1!, 2!, 3!

2010-11-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Okay. Bad day here. Sinful nature out in full force.
Needed:
1. Holy Spirit
2. Fancy mashed potatoes
3. Bing Crosby
4. Counting of the blessings

Okay, feeling better now.
XOXO
Joce

God Answers Prayer

2010-11-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have been noticing God's answers to prayer in my life. And, they are kind of fun. So I don't want to forget them.
Here are two from this week.
1. Brilyn has been asking for footsie pajamas since August. She has been praying for them for about a month.
2. Cade's barn boots cracked so far open, the foot part fell off. The left boot was in two pieces. I having been looking and looking at yard sales and VOA since July. I even stopped at a STORE and was prepared to buy NEW ones. They didn't have anything barn-bootish.

So, we waited and waited for these things. Can I afford to buy them? Yes. But I can't afford to buy everything we need brand new. So we wait for things. Sometimes we end up buying them new, and sometimes God sends them to us.

On with the story. We help out at a free meal at a church in Warsaw (NY, not Poland). They have a free clothes room there. Brilyn was psyched about going there to look for footsies. I had it in the back of my mind to check for boots, too.
You guessed it. They had both there. One pair of footsie PJ's, girls, size 6. One pair of rubber boots, kids size 11. And buy one pair, I mean only one pair. There were no other footsie pajamas. There were no other rubber boots. Just the exact sizes we needed.
Brilyn was amazed. I was a litte, too. I know that God will come through. But when He comes through like that? I stand amazed. I think He has a little fun with answers to prayer sometimes.

More to come.

XOXO
Joce

Classroom Management...in the Home

2010-10-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

Kara's idea, totally.

5 cards to start the day. Brilyn's are decorated with faeries, Cade's with little pets.
Anytime that I would normally spank or timeout is now accompanied with, "Give me a card."

1. They do not like to give up their nice cards.
2. They want to finish the day with cards, because:

5 cards= 2 PBS shows, and a snack.
3-4 cards= 1 PBS show, and a snack.
1-2 cards= 1 PBS show, no snack.
0 cards= PJ's and books in bed at 6:30. Not fun when everyone else is watching TV and eating snacks.

Just wanted to record this for my own future use and just in case it will help with anyone else's family life.

Let me just say, it has cut down on backtalk and has improved speedy obedience.

XOXO
Joce

2010-10-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yum.
Apple Squash Soup

Roast a butternut squash in the oven till soft.

Saute 1 large onion and 4 cloves of garlic in butter.
Peel, core and chop 4 apples, add the apples to the onions/garlic.
Season with 1 t curry, 1 t ginger, 1/2 t nutmeg, 1/2 t white pepper, pinch tarragon, pinch thyme.
Pour in some wine- I used Max Black from Deer Run Winery. About 3/4 cup.
Simmer on medium low until the apples are soft.

Scoop the cooked squash into the blender, add chicken broth. Blend till smooth.
Pour in big pot.
Spoon the apple/onion mixture into the blender, add chicken broth. Blend till smooth.
Pour into big pot with the squash.
Add chicken broth to soup until it thins to desired thickness.

Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

Let flavors mingle in big pot on low heat for about 1/2 hour.

Serve hot.

Yummy!

XOXO
Joce

Fear God

2010-09-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Mark 4

Jesus Calms the Storm

35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

So I was watching a DVD last night- Francis Chan's new series, Basic. The first one is Fear God.

He talks about how a lot of preachers and teachers and believers in general have kind of watered down the passages about fearing God, explaining it as a more socially acceptable "good healthy respect" of God.

Well. I have to agree with Chan that when the many different writers of the Bible talk about fearing God, they mean FEAR. Terrified. Scared senseless.

As illustrated in my Bible reading today. The disciples, Jesus' home-boys, saw his power and were terrified. Picture that. You are out on Lake Ontario in a down rigger and a huge storm comes up, with 20 foot white caps. You know in your head, "We're all gonna die!" And then your spiritual mentor wakes up and says, "All right, calm down, that's enough." And the storm stops. The water becomes as still and smooth as glass. The sound of the wind disappears completely. Quiet. Dark, eery quiet.
I think terrified is a good word to describe how I would feel.

Now, that Jesus in the boat is the same Jesus to whom we pray. Or whom we ignore because we are too distracted or tired to pray. Or whose commands we ignore because they seem like too much- he couldn't have meant it LITERALLY that we should love our neghbor as much as we love ourselves.

Now, when I pray, I picture myself entering the presence of the almighty God. I see myself crawling on my belly before him, nose to the ground, thanking Jesus over and over that His blood covers my stains. That He washed me white as snow so that I can crawl before my Maker and worship Him without being incinerated like a moth approaching the sun. And then I talk to God. And my prayers do not bounce off the ceiling.

Fear God. It is the beginning of wisdom. It is the beginning of every real relationship anyone has ever had with God the all powerful Creator of the universe.

XOXO
Joce

In words...

2010-09-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

I have been having a nebulous thought for the last year or so that I have heretofore been unable to put into words.
I read it in a book today.
"...I am convinced that truth is objective and knowable. If something is true for one person, then it is true for all." ~David B. Currie

True truth.

I think our culture has taken tolerance to a silly level. I'm okay, your're okay, we're okay.

Instead of that limp garbage: You must love your neighbor as yourself.
But you don't have to say that "whatever works for them is okay." Sometimes what people are doing is just not okay. If your belief about what is right for you to do is based on the Holy Spirit's revelation to you through Scripture, it is true Truth. And what is right for you is right for everyone.

So. Think about that. What has God revealed to you about how you should live that those around you are totally ignoring? Get off your tolerant horse and get back on the high road. Be bold and tell it like it is. In LOVE.

Made-Up Scenario: Judgment Day
You get to heaven and you see your neighbor looking ashamed about a choice they made on earth. (Such as loving money). It's one that you knew they were making, but you never said anything to them about it. God had revealed His Holy will to you about it but you kept it to yourself in the name of tolerance. They keep looking over at you as the sad results of their choice are played in the sky. (All the poor people who died in misery because your neighbor didn't share.) Can you look them in eye? Or are you ashamed that you didn't have the strength of character to tell them the Truth?

One of the best lies Satan has handed out in recent years is that there is no capital 'T' Truth. But I would like to argue that there is. And if you have it, you really ought to share it.

XOXO
Joce

First Day of School

2010-09-08T10:07:00.000-07:00

We started school today!

We began our day with private devotions:
Brilyn's:

Cade's:

And then we did calendar, and ABC's, and weather.
We read How Kind!

Then we worked on penmanship (the letter A, of course) and writing about how we can be kind to others. (Brilyn drew a picture of herself helping Cade find the toy airplane he wanted.)

We sang songs and played with clay, too. There was even a play time right in the middle of it all because one certain little baby guy needed to eat.

It was a great start to our school year.

XOXO
Joce

Just the Fats

2010-09-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked by an attendee at a breadmaking workshop if it would be okay to replace the butter in my recipe with Parkay.
I said no.
Here's a great article explaining why.

I know you're all going to write me nice comments thanking me for telling you to eat butter and bacon. :)

XOXO
Joce

The Pile

2010-09-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Going through the pile on my desk. Lots of stuff in there- dairy goat papers, cookbooks, to-do lists...
Two little papers of things I need to remember but don't want in my pile anymore:

1. Tomato varieties planted this year:

Yellow Tomato Berry, similar to cherry tomato with yellow flesh.
Black Truffle, medium size with dark flesh, almost purple.
Pete's, Large tomato. Does not turn completely red, heart shaped.

2. Links I heard on the radio having to do with adoption:

Okay, that's all for now. Back to the pile don't you know.
XOXO
Joce

Food Nazis

2010-08-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

The bad guys are at it again. Please take a moment to educate yourself about bill S.510.
It would greatly restrict our rights to grow and eat our own food, and also to buy vitamins.
Please visit Health Freedom USA for more information and to contact your Senators to place a hold on the bill.
I added this to the form letter provided by the Health Freedom people:

I am a small farmer in Bergen, NY. I am raising my family on a ten acre farm complete with garden, milk cow, pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens. We strive to maintain and protect heirloom vegetables and animals breeds. They are important to us. We work hard to give our kids wholesome foods to eat that have not been genetically modified or grown using pesticides, herbicides, or antibiotics. When I say we work hard, I mean we get up early and stay up late to milk the cow, work in the garden, feed the pigs, gather eggs, can the tomatoes, etc. Please support our way of life by placing a hold on this bill. Thank you.

Honest to goodness, it is very easy to go send a letter.
And very necessary. If you like to save seeds, take vitamin C in doses higher than 25 mg, or just have the freedom to buy non genetically modified vegetables at the store, go to the website, read about it, and send a letter.

Thanks. I thank you and your children will thank you. Or grandchildren, or nieces and nephews, or whomever you love who is younger than you.

Go! Go do it.

Stop reading this and go.

Thank you.

Blessings,
Jocelyn

I like lard

2010-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

Joe slaughtered one of the pigs yesterday. I took the hams and bacons down to Warsaw Meat Packing this morning to get them smoked and packed.
And now, I am rendering lard.
Last year I did it on top of the stove and got a good result. However, I think I have found an easier (more efficient) way to do it.
I read a book about pigs this year, and I was talking to Charleen and Joe, and both recommend rendering in the oven. And Charleen also gave me the idea of freezing the fat before putting it through the grinder. Joe did it this afternoon, and it worked great.
So, I have heard the temperature should be 350, 225, and 170. I have it at 170 at the moment. We'll see how it goes. If it seems like that temp won't do the trick, I will be up-ing the temp by 10 degrees until it works.
I plan to leave it overnight, and then finish up with the cracklings, straining, and putting in jars tomorrow morning.
I think this site has a decent set of instructions.

On another note, I went on a date with Cade today. First we took Sabrina to her first day of work at the pet store, had breakfast at McDonald's, took the hams and bacons to the smoking place (there was a sign in there that said "No Smoking" LOL, went to WalMart for freezer bags, and then to Lantz's. At the meat packing place, the Butterfly Man gave Cade a monarch to release. That was cool. And, at Lantz's, Cade and I shared a Sarsaparilla Soda. That was yummy.

Well, I need to get back to checking things off my list.

Blessings,
Joce

Zzzzzzz.....huh?

2010-08-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

Oh. Hi.
Sorry, I, uh, fell asleep there. Really. I am very tired. But happy.
I have been working hard here. Tomatoes are relentless.
Apples are gearing up to tag team the tomatoes.
So.
My pantry is filling up and I am falling asleep.
Also- painting the barn, building a lean to for the horse, getting ready for our first official school year, heading to Virginia for a few days, etc.
Anyway, it is a beautiful day and I think I will go out and play.
I just wanted to check in and say hi.
Blessings to you,
Joce

Essential Oils are a gift from God

2010-08-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

Okay.
MASTITIS:
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness of the breast. If you have mastitis, you might also experience fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis), although in rare circumstances this condition can occur outside of lactation.
In most cases, lactation mastitis occurs within the first three months after giving birth (postpartum), but it can happen later during breast-feeding. The condition can leave you feeling exhausted and rundown, making it difficult to care for your baby.
Sometimes mastitis leads a mother mistakenly to wean her baby before she intends to. But you can continue breast-feeding while you have mastitis.
Symptoms
*With mastitis, signs and symptoms can appear suddenly and may include:
*Breast tenderness or warmth to the touch
*General malaise or feeling ill
Swelling of the breast
*Pain or a burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding
*Skin redness, often in a wedge-shaped pattern
Fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or greater

(*=yes, me)

Also, really really tired.

Really really really.

So. After Tina told me, duh, it's mastitis, I kicked into farmer/doctor mode.

Here's the list of treatments I used, and this is important mainly because- it worked!

1. Probiotics: yogurt, kefir, and kefir capsules.
2. Oregano oil capsules, 3 a day.
3. Multi as usual.
4. Fish oil as usual.
5. More water.
6. 1 Olive Leaf Extract capsule. (from a friend)
7. 1 packet of Emergen-C.
8. Tea tree oil and lavender oil, in almond oil, topically applied.
9. Lavender oil applied to breast pad.

And, that, my friends, saved me from the antibiotics.
I know some of you are like, dude, there comes a time when antibiotics are okay.
And, I agree. But today is not that day. Here's why I am so happy to have avoided them.
1. My own body system of friendly flora that I have been working on for years.
2. Jessup's body system of perfect friendly flora that is a gift from God through the wonderful thing that is breastfeeding.
I don't want to mess that up man. I can never ever get Jessup's perfect balance of bacteria in his body back for him once it has been annihilated by antibiotics.
So yay for Essential Oils that saved my boobies and Jessup's God-given protection from infection.

Amen.

XOXO
Joce

What's this? Pictures?

2010-08-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

We went to Genesee Country Village with Hanna and fam a while back. Here are some pics that Hanna took.

Cade= the boy

Brilyn= the girl in green

Thanks for the pics Hanna!

XOXO

Joce

July's End

2010-07-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

Ah. Another July comes to an end.
I think that will come as a surprise for me for a while.

A few things have come to pass during this month.
I found a monarch EGG on a milkweed leaf. That is cool.
It hatched today.
I sent the kids out to find some fresh milkweed to feed the new baby. It's smaller than my pinky nail.

I am in the process of pickling some beets. I love pickled beets.

The kids are husking some corn out on the deck.

I have a recipe up for Marilla Cuthbert's Plum Puffs. I bought some plums at the Farmer Party today. Hopefully I will get to make the puffs before all the plum are plum et up.

Baby is in his highchair working on some carrot puree- Coreless Red Nantes from last summer.

Joe's fishing the river.

I'm listening to Pandora Internet Radio.
How cool that they know just what I like to hear.
Jason Michal Carroll is singing 'Where I'm From' or "From Whence I Come" if you are opposed to Dangling Prepositions.

Quote of the Day:
"Git.Out.Side."

Well, I better go attend to some of these small people.

XOXO
Joce

Who am I?

2010-07-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

I asked God today to show me who I am in Christ.
This is a good way to start the day- to remember who I am. What I am. My state of being as a child of GOD.
What can I expect from myself as far as holy living goes? What if I start to feel bogged down by life? What if I start to forget my true value (God likes me and thinks I am cool) and start to focus on trivial things (like if people like me and think I'm cool).

Well, after praying about it, God directed me to this:

Romans 6
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

For me, the sin that reigns pretty often in my mortal body is anger. I get really fired up sometimes. It's a physical thing, I feel it in my mortal body. But, I see in the verse above that I am not to let that sin reign in me. Instead, I am to offer myself to God- offer the parts of my body to him as instruments of grace. And then! Sin will not be reigning in my body, because I am using body for good.
If I remember to have my body doing God's work, there is no time for it to be doing sin's work.
And that brings me back to Crazy Love and true religion.

James 1
27Religion 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.

If you are busy looking after God's creation, especially his people, there is no room in your body or in your life for sin.

It seems that when you are having trouble with your own self, it is in your best interest to look outward instead of inward. That's God- always doing things opposite of human wisdom. You would think if you are having trouble with self esteem or anger that you should focus on yourself and try to straighten things out. But God suggests getting over yourself and doing what he commanded- love your neighbor, baby.

Remember who you are. Remember what you are here to do. And everything else falls into place in God's perfect plan.

XOXO
Jocelyn

Janet

2010-07-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

She’s with Jesus, happy, free

She’s waiting there for you, for me

Her heart is blessed and she sings

Heaven with her praises, rings

Her favorite hymns are on her lips

As she looks for you, hands on hips

Do not fail to meet her. Ponder

Count the cost to make it yonder

As you rest in this maple’s shade

What on this earth would you trade

To meet her in that lovely place

Surrounded by God’s precious grace

She walks beside the crystal sea

Waiting there for you, for me.

XOXO
Jocelyn

Pick one

2010-07-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

I base my opinion about the Bible on what I believe about the world.

I base my opinion about the world on what I believe about the Bible.

Don't Worry.... : )

2010-07-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

So, a certain friend of mine is expecting number four. Number three is almost one. Number two is three. Number one is five. She has been feeling some worry about the future. How is homeschooling going to go? How is three months with hubby away for training going to go? How is four kids five and under going to go?
Well, I don't know. But I do know that God knows. And He cares. And He's got it covered. Every day, He's ready. He's got it. So. If you are worried about tomorrow- let God have today. And when you see His hand today, you won't have too much trouble trusting that He also holds tomorrow.

I was reading along in my Bible this morning, and Jesus had something to say about it, too. He puts it so well, I guess I'll just let Him say it.

Do Not Worry

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

XOXO
Joce

Taking Him Seriously

2010-07-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

An Eye for an Eye

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

This goes so against my grain. It seems like this method will enable lazy people. It could cause people to treat you like a doormat, really USE you. I don't like to feel USED. You know? What the heck was Jesus talking about? Maybe He didn't mean it literally. Maybe He didn't really mean it at all. Maybe He didn't know so-and-so (fill in the blank here) who would take folks for everything they've got. And then, I got to thinking (under the direction of the HOLY SPIRIT, I'll betcha).

Imagine what must go through someone's mind when, upon scheming and forcing you to give them your time, money, or possesions, you happily give them even more than they tried to force from you.
You know who I'm talking about. We all have a family member or friend who manipulates to get more. That's all they think about- how to get you to pay for their meal, or spend more time with them, or give them the CD you just bought. Biblical example: Jacob, the heal grasper. I am talking about heal-graspers here.

Most people either flat out refuse them or grudgingly allow the person to pry it from their death-grip.
I personally fall into the second category- I will give people what they want, but I will make them ask for it straight. I want them to know that I know that they are manipulating me to ge their own way.
What would go on inside their head if someone were to say, "Yes, you can borrow (ie. take with no intention of returning) that CD. Oh, and here, this is the one they just came out with this year. It's my favorite." Or, "Oh, you don't have any cash on you? Do you need a $20.00 just in case you need something before you get paid?" Or, "You need some help with your floors? Can I do your dishes while I'm here?"

If you willingly give more than someone tries to take from you two things happen.

Number 1: They are no longer able to manipulate you. You are GIVING to them, instead of them TAKING from you. I know I feel a lot better about GIVING to people than I do about them TAKING from me.
I feel better.

Number 2: (This one is more important, I think.) Instead of feeling like the low-down dirty scoundrel of a schemer that they are, they feel blessed, ministered to, fulfilled. They feel loved.
They feel better.

Instead of breeding contempt on my part and guilt on theirs, there is generosity and love. Wow. Contempt and guilt versus generosity and love. Hmmm. Maybe Jesus did mean it literally.

Give.

XOXO
Joce

In the oven...July 2010

2010-07-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

Honey Oat Farmhouse Bread:
2 T Yeast
1 C warm water
2 T Salt
1/4 C honey
6 T butter
2-3 C warm water
2 C oats
6-8 C flour

In a bowl combine yeast and 1 C water. Dissolve for 10-15 minutes. Add salt, honey, butter, stir. Add oats, flour, and water, (a bit of each at a time for easy mixing). Knead for 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover with tea towel. Let rise till doubled in size. Form into 4 loaves, let them rise for a while- 30 minutes or so, and then bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Of course.

Zuccini Bread
Sift:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 C whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Beat:
3 eggs
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/2 C melted butter
1 C brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine wet and dry mixes, add:
4 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Pour into greased pans (I used 1 8X8 and 2 tiny loaf pans)
Bake at 325 45-60 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out with crumbs.

And for dessert...

Berries with Sweet Cream:

2 C heavy cream
5 eggs yolks
2 t vanilla
2/3 cup raw sugar- divided

In a sauce pan combine 1/3 C of the sugar with 2 C cream. Heat on medium low. Separate 5 eggs, give shells and whites to pigs (or whoever will eat them in your house). Don't forget to stir the cream! Combine yolks with the other 1/3 cup sugar. When the cream mixture starts to steam, turn it all the way down and slowly add half of the hot cream to egg mix (drizzle in the hot cream while frantically whisking the eggs). Then, add the egg/cream mix to the cream still in the pan in the same fashion (drizzling/frantic whisking). You must do the drizzling/whisking or you will end up with weird scrambled eggs that no one will eat. When everything is back in the same pan, turn the heat back up to medium low, stir gently for 3 minutes. Turn it off. Add the vanilla. Pour into clean quart jar, and refrigerate for a few hours. Then. Put some berries in a bowl. Pour the cream over the berries. Get a taste of heaven on earth.

XOXO
Joce

Blueberries 2010

2010-07-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

Blueberries.
18 pounds in buckets.
1 hour.
12 pounds in the freezer.
1 hour.
5 quarts preserves.
2 hours.
1 pie.
1 hour.
-------------------------------
18 pounds.
5 hours.
Blueberries in my belly today and all year long.

XOXO
Joce

For reference:

Blueberry Jam
without added pectin

9 cups crushed berries
6 cups sugar

Yield: About 7 or 8 half-pint jars

Please read Using Boiling Water Canners before beginning. If this is your first time canning, it is recommended that you read Principles of Home Canning.

Procedure: Sterilize canning jars. Wash berries before crushing. Combine berries and sugar. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Once sugar is dissolved, cook rapidly to , or almost to, the jellying point, depending upon whether a firm or soft jam is desired. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from heat and fill hot jam into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a Boiling Water Canner.

NOTE: If seedless jam is preferred, crushed berries may be heated until soft and pressed through a sieve or food mill; then add sugar and proceed as above.

Blueberry Pie
(filling)

4 cups fresh blueberries

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon lemon juice (or 1 teaspoon citric acid in 1 tablespoon water)

In a saucepan, combine 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, water, cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes or until thick and clear. Add butter and lemon juice.

Where to pick?
Hill n Hollow

Supper Tonight

2010-07-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

Chicken that used to be tough as nails and is not anymore Marinade:

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

2 tablespoons dried parsley

Cheesy Rice:

3 cups cooked rice

1 can mushroom soup

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 cup shredded mozzarella

butter

onions pureed to hide

garlic also pureed for hiding purposes

spices

Cook the rice.
Then, melt butter in a larege saucepan. Saute onions and garlic. Add the soup, and some milk, oh- and some sour cream too if you have it. Then add the cheeses- melt. Then spice to taste. I used some garlic salt, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Add the rice.

Love can be hard work

2010-06-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Love for Enemies

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful

So I recently had this situation in which I was falsely accused of being shady. This hurt my feelings. I replied with grace pretty easily through the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Praise the Lord.
Then, the accuser did more accusing. And it really really hurt my feelings, especially since I had already gone out of my way to illustrate just how much on the up and up I am. And when I went to respond, it was A LOT harder to follow Jesus' command in the above chapter. And I have something that I could write right here, and it would be a really funny jab at one of the accuser's shortcomings. But.I.am.not.going.to.write.it. Because there is a still small voice gently prodding me toward being a gracious person.

I have a bit of practical advice to share. Write what you think would be an appropriate response. DON'T SEND IT. Then, read it the next day and see if it reflects God's love. Because, as I was just reading in a magazine called Above Rubies, "a few words spoken (or written, in my case) hastily under provocation can cut the cords of influence that bound their hearts to ours."

That's really all I have to say about it. Loving your enemies is a lot harder when you actually do it (as compared to just reading it and nodding). LOL.

Love.

Joce

Sourdough Bread...because God loves us and wants us to be happy

2010-06-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Sourdough Bread

2 T sugar (I use only one)
1/2 C olive oil (or melted butter)
1 t salt
1 1/2 C warm water: 105F-115F
6 C flour
1 C sourdough starter
3 t butter, melted

Combine the sugar, oil. salt, water, flour, and starter.Stir. Form into a ball. Place in greased bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and let stand overnight.
The next morning, punch dough down and divide into thirds (or halves for bigger loaves). Knead each piece on a floured board 8-10 times. Grease loaf pans and turn each loaf over once to coat. Cover with tea towel and and let rise in pans until doubled in size, 4-5 hours. Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the bread until the crust is nice and golden brown, about a half an hour. Remove from oven and brush each loaf with 1 teaspoon of melted butter (Or rub with the end of a stick of butter.). Let cool on wire racks.

from: The Amish Cook at Home by Lovina Eicher.

XOOX
Joce

To do today

2010-06-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Read the Bible.
Pray to God.
Go to town to the park to play with other MOPS mommies.
Make Cheese.
Crockpot roast
Weed more carrots
Get out 12 months clothes for Jessup.
Finish crochet block for Blankets for Haiti.
Go to Prayer Shawl meeting at church.

Lots of other small tasks that are always on the list, but don't actually make the written list:
Milk the cow, feed the baby, clean up clean up clean up, take a nap, etc.

There's a bit of what I am up to.

XOXO
Joce

Nancy Pelosi...still a goat

2010-06-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

So, I couldn't get this little clip to embed, but you can follow the link if you want.
Nancy Pelosi simply astounds me.
XOXO
Joce

Something stinks

2010-06-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

Francis Chan says, in Crazy Love, this:
I wrote this book because much of our talk doesn't match our lives. We say things like, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Then we live and plan like we don't believe God even exists. We try to set our lives up so everything will be fine even if God doesn't come through. But true faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to His promises.

A page before that we writes:
My suggestion as you think, make decisions, and discern how God would have you live is to ask yourself, "Is this the most loving way to do life? Am I loving my neighbor and my God by living where I live, by driving what I drive, by talking how I talk?" I urge you to consider and actually live as though each person you come into contact with is Christ.

I copied these words here because I agree with them so wholeheartedly and do not think even if I took the time that I could write them more succintly. So now, I will just expound on his words a bit.

I feel bad about the example established Christians set for new Christians. This is a real life example. If you recognize yourself in this example, give me a call. A person I know came to Christ a few years ago. God made a HUGE difference in her life. Because some Christian ladies cared enough about her to make her feel welcome at a church-y thing. And then, she came to know GOD! Which is awesome. That will totally be a star in their crown in heaven. Jesus is psyched.

But then, those Christian ladies gave her a bad list of what is important. They, through the way they live their lives, modeled their "Christian" priorities. And she sucked it right up. Here's the list: nice house, 3-4 kids, minivan, tasteful clothes, healthy weight, extra-curricular activities for the kids (soccer, ballet, etc.) , financial responsibility, college education, and the list goes on. Those are not bad things. But they are a wrong focus. We should not live in such a way that a new Christian comes to believe that that is the POINT.

When a new Christian observes a Christian with a few years under her belt, what should she see?
A new outfit or love that gives a new coat to a homeless lady?
A new hairdo or joy on your face?
A college education or peace in knowing that God uses you in your weakness?
A row of sparkling children or patience as you direct your child in how stay on the sidewalk?
A gas-effecient minivan or kindness in a old Blazer that stops for the old lady walking home from the grocery store.
A 'good steward' who sells all the kids' outgrown clothes or goodness to those who could never afford that Children's Place outift?
A well-planned financial system that ensures all 4 kids go to college without too much sacrifice or faithfulness in giving to the single mom whose oldest son is attending the community college?
A shiny sink or gentleness in teaching your children to put their dishes on the counter?
A Yoga-firm body or self-control in buying/growing and eating only what you need and giving what you saved to the soup kitchen or your extra produce to the people all those children?

I am writing about this today not to point fingers. Because, I honestly smacked my kids while I was writing this because they kept interrupting me. Really. And that is not gentleness (or patience or love or...). Because I can't do 'gentleness.' But the Holy Spirit can. And He does. When I let Him. But that is a whole other topic.

I am writing because that example I gave? It rips my heart out when I see that person striving for the wrong things. Things that lead her AWAY from trusting and serving God. Things that lead her to trust and serve herself under the guise of "taking care of her family."

I'll end with a quote and a question.

Quote: "Christians are like manure. Spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they really start to stink."

Question: "Which are you? The kind that reeks, around which people walk a wide swath? Or the kind that trusts God enough to let Him spread you out- whether that means going outside your normal group of Christian friends, increasing your material giving, or using your time to serve others?"

Milk A1 or A2

2010-06-07T07:33:00.001-07:00

New Milk Article

Nice to know I have a Jersey.
XOXO
Joce

Givers....or takers

2010-06-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

I am reading Crazy Love again. Because now, I am taking action on some of the commands of Jesus...and it is a little scary. I have stepped out in ways that if God doesn't come through, I'll be up the proverbial creek. And, so now, instead of reading it for conviction and motivation, I am reading it for encouagement and assurance.

I have two things to share from the book. One is a scripture passage that brings me to tears. Actual tears. For those of you who know me in real life- I don't spend a lot of time crying. I actually didn't shed a tear from like age 13-19. Like, none. God (and Joe) have been working on me to be a little more open emotionally, but not to the point that I would cry while reading the Bible, and not in front of other people! It must be the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord.
(For those of you who are curious, I start to tear up around verse 6.)

Anyway, here are the verses:

from Isaiah 58

2 For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions

and seem eager for God to come near them.

3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,

'and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and you have not noticed?'

"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please

and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed

and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness [a] will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

and from doing as you please on my holy day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

and the LORD's holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,

and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

And then, here is what I read today. Chan was talking about Christ's command to love your neighbor as yourself. And how most Christians, when we here about others taking that literally- we are moved. We think it is so awesome! But, we do not step out in faith and follow that command in our own lives. And here is the really sucky part (sucky because I see it to be truth):

"Non-churchgoers tend to see Christians as takers rather than givers. When Christians sacrifice and give wildly to the poor, that is truly a light that glimmers. The Bible teaches that the church is to be that light, a sign of hope, in an increasingly dark and hopeless world. Matthew 5:16 says, 'Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.'"
~Crazy Love, pp. 140

I used to be annoyed at like Kingdom Bound or whatever when Compassion International would beg and plead and show pictures and TAKE A LONG TIME before a concert trying to get people to give. Okay, okay, there are poor people far away. Now, let's get on to Newsboys.

Now, I am annoyed that people (me) (CHRISTIANS!) were not clamoring to give and save and rescue those poor starving children. How is it that for all the church I have attended, that it had not been pounded into my head: GIVE. Give yourself. Give your money. Help the poor. That's pretty much all that Jesus talked about. How did I miss that?!?

Well. I am not missing it now. I have a clear focus. As Martin Luther said, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day."

Ball Blue Book of Preserving....GIVEAWAY!

2010-05-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

In honor of Memorial Day, and also because I find myself blessed with two copies, I am giving away the Ball Blue Book of Preserving. It is a great resource for, well, preserving.
Speaking of preserving, I watched a fun DVD the other night: The Art of Canning with the West Ladies
Please leave a lovely comment here and I will enter you to win the canning book.
XOXO
Joce

In a hurry bread

2010-05-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hey.
Bread is a staple of our meals around here. We don't really eat pasta or potatoes very often- we like to eat bread. Sometimes, I forget to start a dough in time for dinner.
Here's the deal:
Italian Bread
from Joel Smith via Kara Riedl
5-6 C bread
2 T yeast
1 T salt
2 T sugar
2 C hot tap
Combine 4 C flour with dry ingredients. Add hot tap water, combine. Add 1-2 more C flour while kneading 8 minutes. Shape into 2 round loaves, brush with water, cut an 'X' in the top and bake at 400 F from a cold oven for 40 minutes. Place a bowl of water on lower rack in oven for crusty crust.

Yum yummy yum yum.

Now, I am going to go eat it.
XOXO
Joce

Don't forget.

2010-05-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

Thank a Veteran. Walk over to the guy who stands up in church on Sunday and shake his hand.

Visit a cemetary and say thanks. Show your kids the little flags, tell them what they stand for.

Happy Memorial Day.

XOXO
Joce

Mulberry Cream Muffins

2010-05-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

From http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Cream-Muffins/Detail.aspx, with my personal tweaks in italics.

Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup raw sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1cup oat flour
1 cup oats
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups yogurt
2 cups mulberries
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2.In large bowl beat eggs, gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil. Stir in vanilla and yogurt. Sift together flour, salt and baking soda.
3.Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture. Gently fold in blueberries. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
4. Mix 1/2 C sugar, 1/3 C flour, 1/4 C butter, 1 t cinnamon until it looks like crumbs. Sprinkle appr. 1/2 T onto each muffin.
5.Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Yummy.

XOXO
Joce

2010-05-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I do not watch TV. Zero, zip, zilch, nada, none, not any, none at all.
I have not had time to post about all the reasons I do not watch TV (one of which is that I do not have time, LOL). However, this rhyming lady sums up one of the reasons I do not watch the BOOB TUBE.

So cute

2010-05-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Please head on over to Just simply Live and check out the pics of Brilyn and Kylie. Holy cute.
XOXOX
Joce

Love Language: Gifts

2010-05-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

So, I read a blog post that I liked. And I wrote a huge long comment. I was like, man, my posts aren't even this long usually. So.
Here's the link to the post.
And here's my comment (with a few alterations to make it more post-y):

I agree that it IS SO HARD to understand your spouse's gift style. It makes you want to change how that person gives and RECEIVES gifts. But. It doesn't work that way. It shows more love on your part to give how the other person enjoys receiving.

I like a gift that says you know me...so ice cream, chocolate, books, and warm fuzzy things (like socks, mittens, etc.) make me feel so happy. Expensive gifts don't mean much to me unless they are something I really need.

Like Towels. I could use a new set of towels for my bathroom. LOL.

Maybe my husband will read that? HAHAHAHA.

Every thoughtful gift (the ones I didn't eat that is) I have ever received is placed carefully in my home so that I see them frequently. Because when I see them, I feel loved.

Anyway, my husband doesn't like gifts at all. He thinks they are shallow. Buy what you need at a good price when it becomes available. He thinks things are just that. Things.

However, a clean house or a job marked off his to-do list without him having to do it makes him feel so loved. This thought is as hard to cram into my brain as my liking presents is for his brain. Honestly, I just don't like to do dishes and I don't understand how that is a present to him. But It Is.

So, slowly, we have tried to get this down. And, when he doesn't get me a gift, (Like for Mother's Day and our anniversary yesterday- not kidding-) I remember that he really does love me and he shows me in a different way. Like, he let me sleep in yesterday. He did all the outdoor chores, milked the cow, and gave the kids a snack, a movie, and directions not to wake the mommy. All before he left for work. So, I knew I was loved. And, he did the grocery shopping while I was at choir practice. I knew enough to put "ice cream for Jocelyn" on the list, and he knew enough to get chocolate with peanut butter swirl. :)

Learn to give and receive gifts according to your spouse's style. It's cool like being bilingual. You can speak it AND understand it.

XOXO

Joce

The One-Third Rule

2010-05-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

My rule for book reading is, that if after the first 1/3 of the book I am not thrilled, I do not keep reading. Life is too short to read mediocre books.
Well.
I have now been married one-third of my life. And, since I have enjoyed the story so far at least as much as any book I have read (well, maybe with the exception of Harry Potter, and The Hobbit, and ...no, no, never mind, just those two. LOL) I think I will keep reading to see where this story heads next. To tell the truth I think I will enjoy what is to come even more!

10 years today! Whoa.

XOXO
Joce

Raw milk discussion

2010-05-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

Read the article if you want.

Make sure you laugh appropriately at this:

“Geographically speaking, the area where the manure is isn’t that far from the utters where the milk comes from,” Sarah Klein, an attorney for the Washington, D.C.-based food and nutrition think tank

I can't let that one go. Rarely do I find such an amazing example of stupid.
1. Geographically. Perhaps she was using a map.
2. Manure. FYI- wiki says: "Manure is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. In the past the term "manure" included inorganic fertilizers, but this usage is now very rare." Maybe she means they park the spreader near the milk house?
3. Utters. Holy cow. I am not even sure how to make fun of that. A talking cow joke? A comment about how many 'utters' does she think a cow has? Goodness gracious. People are taking her seriously, QUOTING HER IN A NEWSPAPER. Utters. LOL.
4. And, I just can't help but bash her for her dangling preposition. Please Ms. Klein, at least have the self respect to spew your drivel using proper English. "...utters where the milk comes from." Heaven help me.

Anyway. The article was okay...that quote was just irresistable to me. LOL.

For a good article on raw milk..go here.

An excerpt:

For the past century, however, we’ve done our best to wall ourselves off from microbes. In 1989, David Strachan put forward the “hygiene hypothesis,” which posed that this separation could be causing the increased incidence of immune disorders. As the years have passed, many studies have helped refine his proposal. Scientists found that hygiene itself wasn’t a problem. People who never used antibacterial soap were just as likely to have asthma as those who scrubbed obsessively. In a 2006 study of thousands of children living on farms in Shropshire, England, Strachan and another scientist, Michael Perkin, found that raw-milk drinkers were unlikely to have eczema or to react to allergens in skin-prick tests. “The protective effect of unpasteurized milk consumption was remarkably robust,” Strachan and Perkin wrote. Then, in May of 2007, a group of scientists published a paper after surveying almost 15,000 children around Europe. They found that children who drank raw milk were less likely to have any among a wide range of allergies. Either there’s something about industrial milk that’s harmful, Perkin wrote in a commentary that accompanied the paper, or there’s something in raw milk that’s beneficial.

Or visit Real Milk for more info.
XOXO
Joce

Aborted babies used to develop vaccines..read it here

2010-04-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I think it is time that I post about this. I keep hearing from folks, when I say, "There are fetal cells in vaccines," they say "I've never heard of that." And judging from facial expression and tone, what they mean is, "So it must not be true."
And honestly, I am terribly upset that I didn't know this information when making vaccine choices for Brilyn and Cade. I want to spread the word to help other parents make informed decisions.
A new article was just published today. It talks about the link between the fetal cells in vaccines with the rise of autism. That is not my main concern, but it covers that topic as well as the plain and simple fact that vaccines do, in fact, contain cell lines "derived from the bodies of aborted children.”

Here's the website, and here's the article (below) for you non-clickers.

****************************************************************
Study Confirms Autism Boom - Correlates with Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines
By John Jalsevac

Washington, DC, April 20, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed 1988 as a “change point” in the rise of Autism Disorder rates in the U.S. - a date that pro-life leaders say correlates with the introduction of fetal cells for use in vaccines.

While the EPA study does not speculate into the cause of the jump in autism rates, and makes no mention of aborted fetal cells, the researchers point out that it “is important to determine whether a preventable exposure to an environmental factor may be associated with the increase.”

According to the pro-life group Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute (SCPI), which specializes in vaccine research, that “environmental factor” may well be the use of aborted fetal cells in vaccines.

The group pointed out in its most recent newsletter that 1988 is the same year the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices began recommending a second dose of the MMR vaccine, which included cells derived from the tissue of aborted babies.

Analyses of autism rate data published by SCPI identify 3 clear change points in U.S. autism disorder trends: 1981, 1988 and 1995, all of which the groups claims roughly correlate with the use of vaccines (Meruvax, MMRII, and Chickenpox) that were cultivated with the use of tissue from aborted children. The group says that it has been unable to identify any other factor that might correlate to the change in autism rates.

“The only environmental event correlating with these statistical autism trend ‘change points’ which would impact almost all children was the introduction of vaccines produced using human fetal cells and containing residual human DNA and cellular debris,” said SCPI.

Pro-life groups say that the research by EPA adds to an increasing body of evidence implicating the use of aborted fetal cell material in the nationwide vaccinations impacting nearly every child born in the United States.

American Life League has joined Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute in calling for a Fair Labeling and Informed Consent Act in light of the findings.

“For years the evidence has pointed toward the link between vaccines using DNA from aborted babies and the rise of Autism Disorder rates,” said Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League.

"Parents need and deserve to know the risks associated with vaccinations made from lines derived from the bodies of aborted children.”

SCPI has affirmed that they are continuing to study the impact of residual human fetal DNA in vaccines on the brain development and autism in children, and will present their studies at the International Society for Autism Research in May 2010.

For more information:

Sound Choice Pharmaceutical Institute http://www.soundchoice.org/
Click here to read Sound Choice's April 2010 newsletter. http://www.soundchoice.org/Images/SCPINewsletter_April_2010.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency: Timing of Increased Autistic Disorder Cumulative Incidence (10 July 2009)
http://www.all.org/pdf/McDonaldPaul2010.pdf

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Is Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines Linked to Autism?
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09072106.html
Fetal Tissue in Vaccine Production May be Linked to Autism in Children Claims Campaign Group
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09070611.html
Abortion-Tainted New Flu Vaccine From Vaxin Uses Aborted Fetal Cell Lines
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05020703.html

************************************************************************

And now, for the chart I showed my pediatrician:
http://www.cogforlife.org/
Click on the 'vaccine sources' listed on the left.
Feel free to peruse the entire site, you'll find it to be worth your time. The part I found most convincing were the actual Manufacturer's package inserts describing the fetal cell lines.

Let me just say that my pediatrician was very concerned. And? SHE DIDN'T KNOW! She kept asking, "How did I not know about this? Why didn't they tell me in med school? Or during my residency?"
And then she started asking, "What am I going to do about this?" Because her office is a part of Strong and they won't order special moral vaccines those of us who are appalled by this. They order from the company that gives them the best deal. Period.

So, I am doing my part today to inform folks about what is in vaccines. Because, if my child's doctor didn't know I bet there are a bunch of regular folks out there who have no idea.

So. Now I've done it. I've put it all out there. I would ask that you spread the word. Because, like I said before; I wish had known. I would never have chosen to inject the cells of murdered babies into my own babies.

XOXO
Jocelyn

Trouble

2010-04-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

I found this poem in my 'pile.' You know what I mean.
The Thing that grows and grows and eventually takes over your desk and buries your computer. That's what happened. I closed my lap top and it disappeared under the Pile.
So. I went through the Pile. And I found a poem I wrote, oh, up to a year ago. Yep. That long. I let the Pile grow That Long.
Anyway, the second page is missing, but I don't want to lose the page I have, so I am writing it down here.

In this world
You Will Have Trouble
Grief and pain
sickness and strife
will come your way
Don't let it be
a surprise.
Don't let Satan convince you that God has
forgotten you
Abandoned you
withheld His protection
from your path.
In this world
you will have trouble.
Following Christ
will not lead you
down Easy Street.
Your path is straight
But narrow
Sometimes it will be
hard to find.
Do not despair!
The path is there
beneath your feet
Follow the lead
of that kindly light.
No matter how dim
it may appear through your veil of tears.
Because this path
leads to Hope!
Rejoice in your suffering
it is the Way to hope.
Travel that road
from suffering to perseverance
from perseverence to character
from character to Hope
Hope!
Hope that does not disappoint.

XOXO
Joce

Be bold!

2010-04-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

I am in a hurry. But I wanted to post.
Today I was encouraged by a song I learned a long time ago. It goes like this:
Be bold! And be strong.
Banish fear and doubt.
For the promise of our God
Is of blessings coming in and of blessings going out.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!
I just want to impress upon all the mommies out there that teaching your children Christian songs is really a wonderful way to allow the Holy Spirit to work in them later in life. The songs may not be your idea of awesome music to jam to, but they are working in your child's heart (and yours).
The same with scripture memorization. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit uses verses I have hidden in my heart to help me on my way.
Help your children learn verses, and learn some more for yourself while you are at it!
Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)
6 Train [a] a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Well, I really really really have to put my peas and lettuce in if I want to eat anything green anytime soon.

XOXO
Joce

My Day: An Overview and an Excerpt

2010-04-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

I would like to share my daily schedule for two reasons-
1. I would like to solidify some of the things I have found that work.
2. It might help someone else with their daily routine.

The times are relative- if small people decide to sleep in, I do not wake them. :)
6:30- Get up, get dressed, milk.
7:00-Process milk
7:15 Feed baby
7:30 Feed two kids
8:00 Clean up kitchen, straighten up downstairs
8:30 Make my breakfast, help kids clean up playroom,
9:00 SuperWHY! And I eat and do my devotions, make list of things to do today.
9:30 Kids get dressed, clean up their room, I straighten up the upstairs. Then the kids do morning chores: Brilyn does the breakfast dishes, Cade vaccuums under the table.
10:00 Kids go outside, I feed the baby, and then I do some Big Jobs-like vaccuuming, make cheese and bread, or sort through bags of kids clothes, etc.
11:30 Lunch
12:00 Read aloud and nap for kids, clean-up the downstairs again, do phone calls, emails, eat my lunch, play with baby
1:00 Feed the baby, take a nap
2:00 Choose supper, get it started, finish list, do school with Brilyn
3:00 Cade wakes up, spend time with him.
4:00 Joe comes home, kids go back outside, I feed the baby, and then do a job like sewing or something else that requires quiet
6:00 Supper
6:45 Feed the baby
7:00 Milk
7:30 Kids to bed
8:00 Time with Joe
8:30 Eat ice cream
8:45 Shower
9:00 Feed the baby, Bed

That's the main idea, I will add more as it comes to me.

XOXO
Joce

And, now for some Cade humor.

Narrator: Cade and Brilyn are playing out on the deck. Brilyn comes in to use the bathroom, Cade follows. Mommy notices he is eating something. A huge mouthful of something.

M-"Cade, what are you eating?"
C-"Dis." Holds out handful of grass/weeds.
M-"What is that?"
C-"Gwass"
M-"Why are you eating grass?"
C-"Brannan div it to me"
M-"Brilyn, why is Cade eating grass?"
B-"He's the animals in the zoo and I am the zookeeper."

Mommy pauses here to think the thought- No, I am the zookeeper around here. Goodness gracious.

Continue conversation:
M-"It is not okay to eat plants you pick outside unless mommy says it is okay. Like, you may eat the onion plants because mommy showed you."
M-"Look at me. What are you allowed you eat?"
C-"Pizza?"
M-"Hmm (smirk). Well, what shouldn't you eat?"
B-"The picnic benches? HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
M-"Don't eat grass. The end."
The end.
XOXO
Joce

The Home

2010-04-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to a blog Kara recently recommended to me:
Passionate Homemaking
I would especially like you to read today's post:
What is the purpose of the home?
Because it leads up nicely to my next post.
Enjoy.
XOXO
Joce
Also, Kara is Blogging about being a Proverbs 31 lady. I like what she has to say for today.

Crazy Giveaway

2010-04-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn, a servant of Jesus Christ
To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

So I have been talking a lot about the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan.
Why do I talk about it so much? Because the Holy Spirit has been using it to change my life. You know, the way I live. I have a desire to love people. Because I now understand in my heart that to love Christ and to be obedient to Him is to love people.
I have had 1 Corinthians 13 memorized since I was what, 14? And it has suddenly become so much more than a nice thing hear at weddings.
Read this, and listen with your heart:
1 Corinthians 13
Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Dude, if you don't have LOVE, you don't have (much) Jesus. How could I have been missing that for so long? I am a 22-year-old Christian. And this LOVE stuff is just now sinking into my heart in a way that is changing me.

And so, I am excited about it. God has used this book in a crazy way in my life.
I would like to give one away to you, my readers. Just in case you are intrigued by my sudden obsession with living as Jesus calls us to live and want to read it for yourself.

So. I need this from you. On your blog or FB or whatever: A link to your favorite post here from February 25th to today and a link to crazylovebook.com, and a comment here to let me know you did that.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

XOXO, (aka LOVE)
Joce

Solo mission

2010-04-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

So, Joe got what I had. And it was no good for him. He didn't drink the super duper drink...and he should have.
So. I was left to man the battle stations.
Let it be chronicled here that I milked Clara all by myself, start to finish. 2 whole gallons, thanks to the new green grass. You may not think that is all that big of a deal, and it is not, physically. I have been able to do it for a while.
It was a mental victory. Because, some of you may remember the last time I milked by myself.
So. It was good.

And then, since Joe wasn't quite up to eating yet (he really should have drank his garlic and pepper broth, I made a supper just for me. You know, things I like to eat and to heck with the meat. (Dont worry, I let the kids eat, too).

Fresh honey oat bread and cream of potato and cabbage soup. Mmmm. It was rainy and windy out, so double yum.

Recipe for soup:
In a large pot-Saute a chopped onion and two minced cloves of garlic in about 2 T bacon grease. (Whenever I fry bacon, I pour the leftover bacon grease in a coffee cup and keep in the fridge for frying. It saves me a ton of money on butter and adds rich flavor to whatever I fry. Imagine how good my fried eggs sandwiches are.) Add some cubed potato (8 medium, peeled) and shredded cabbage (about a half a head). Let the flavors mingle a bit, and then add 4 cups of chicken broth (enough to just cover the potatoes and cabbage). Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let cook until the cabbage is just tender. Mix together 2 T of flour with 1 C milk, add to pot. Return to boil, then reduce to simmer. Let it bubble until thickened. Don't forget to stir it. Add some spices- like salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder...until it tastes good to you.

Recipe for bread:
3 C occident flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 C buckwheat flour (or any kind of flour you have on hand)
1 C oats
2 t yeast
1 1/2 t salt
1 egg
2-3 T honey
10 ounces of milk
2 T butter
I used a bread machine on dough setting. When it beeped, I made two loaves in greased loaf pans, let them rise on the back of my hot stove for, oh, 20 minutes (till doubled in size), and then baked at 350 for 25 minutes. YUM.

XOXO
Jocelyn