Apologies

First, I would like to say READ your BIBLE!  This morning I read the first two chapters of 2 Kings--interesting and a little strange, but an example of God's power.  I love that every time I open God's Word it is like reading a book for the first time.

Second, have you noticed signs for yoga lately.  I see them everywhere.  One I saw on Saturday read "where is your peace?  Tip: look inside yourself."  Totally wrong!  Peace comes from the Prince of Peace!!!  One can only find peace through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now to what I really want to share today.  This morning after dropping the boys off at preschool camp (side note: you may wonder after by blog a few days ago if the boys are involved in any summer activities.  They have taken swim lessons, attended VBS and are currently at preschool day camp at church.  I am not against any activity I just think we all need to slow down some and enjoy life.) I heard on KSBJ a question the morning show is asking listens.  How effective is an apology?  There was talk about how an apology is more meaningful to the one saying it than the one receiving it.  One person said apologies used to mean more than they do now.  It was also said "I'm sorry" is powerful for a relationship.  I agree with these statements, but also think it is important to ask for forgiveness.  I have taught the boys that I'm sorry is to be used when an accident happens and you ask for forgiveness when you choose to do something wrong.  For example if Jeffrey is not watching were he is going and runs into Jackson he says I'm sorry.  If Jeffrey chooses to throw a toy truck at Jackson he will ask Jackson to forgive him for throwing a truck and hurting him.  Asking for forgiveness is hard to do, but if you stop and think about what took place and then ask for forgiveness you are less likely to do the offense again.  Practicing this also reminds me that I am forgiven through the blood of Christ and thus should also offer forgiveness to others.  Praise God for His forgiveness!!!!

I hope this all makes sense--I don't sleep much last night so don't look to closely at the grammar and sentence structure.

Princess Cake

With two boys I never thought I would bake a princess birthday cake, but I did last Friday.  Grammie's (my mom) birthday dinner was Saturday.  I asked the boys what kind of cake Grammie should have.  Jeffrey said, "a princess cake cause that's what girls like." 

Lots of icing!!!!

 My shirtless helper.  Notice the farmer's tans:)

Happy Birthday Grammie!!!!! 

Josh had a little fun with the doll after the cake was cut.

Summer Learning

Have you noticed how many different class are offered this summer for the kids?  There are reading classes, math classes, science camps, VBS, swim lessons, all kinds of sports and more.  It is a little overwhelming for me.  Everywhere I go moms are talking about what the kids are doing this summer and what kind of school work they are working on at home.  A few weeks ago I was thinking Jackson needs to learn his sight words, practice writing his letters, ect. before kindergarten starts.  Then I realized that if I taught him to much this summer he would be bored once school started.  I believe it is very important to support your child in their learning, however I feel that our society is consumed with making sure their child knows more than anyone else in the class.  I have decided that our summer learning will be all about Jesus.  I want the boys to know and understand John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"  Education is important, but I am not going to worry and stress about the boys being in the top of there class.  Our focus and what is truly important is for the boys to learn about a relationship with Jesus and how to live as a believer. 

Just spending time with the boys this summer allows for learning opportunities anyway.  We read together daily, we work on math skills as the boys help me in the kitchen.  We talk about colors and shapes everywhere we go.  I guess my point is don't stress enjoy your summer with the kids, play, have fun and talk about Jesus.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul. and with all your strength.  And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when your rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Yoga

Recently I learned some things about yoga that were very disputing.  Yoga is worship of  false gods!  I can't believe I have done yoga, taught it in public school and at church.  How did I miss it?  At first I was upset and felt terrible, but now I have asked God to forgive me and He has so I can move on and do my best to measure everything even exercise to God's Word.

Webster defines yoga as "a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation."

You maybe thinking that it is just exercise and my heart is not worshipping any other god.  Well, from my research online I have found that the postures in and of  themselves are serving the idols of Hinduism.

The idea of Christianity is to fill our mind with biblical truth and focus on the God who is above us. That's Christian worship. The idea of yoga is to fill your mind with nothing except to focus on yourself and try to find the god that is inside of you. From a Christian viewpoint, that's a false religion.

This makes me think of one of the Veggie Tale movies about Bob the tomato and Larry the cucumber not sing to the giant chocolate bunny.  This is the Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego found in the book of Daniel.  These men would not bow down to anyone except God.  They could have done it and not meant it in their hearts, but that's not what happened.  They choose to not worship the golden image Nebuchadnezzar set up and thus were thrown into a fire, but God saved them and lives were changed.

The lesson here is to let every part of your life worship GOD ONLY and bring others to know Him.  So maybe by choosing not to do yoga you can lead someone to Christ.

I leave you with a wise saying from Mama Bear (The Bernstein Bears), "better safe than sorry."

Pancakes

Here is the recipe for the whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes I made last Saturday.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes


• 5 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

• 3/4 cup oatmeal

• 3 Tablespoons baking powder

• 1 Tablespoon salt

• 5 1/4 cups milk

• 3/4 cup butter, melted

• 6 eggs, beaten

• 9 Tablespoons raw sugar

• 1 bag chocolate chips

Combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Beat milk, butter, eggs and sugar together.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix together. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray or add a sliver of butter.

Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto hot skillet. Cook pancake bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook until golden brown on the other side.

Makes 20-24 medium to large pancakes.

These pancakes were so good.  I halved the recipe and it made about 15 pancakes( next time I will make the whole recipe and freeze some).  I also used white chocolate chips because that is what was in the pantry.  Jackson said next time we should use "the black ones" and then the next time mix them.  I will be picking up some more chocolate chips next time I shop.  I thought the pancakes were a little to buttery as next time I will cut down on the butter.  Josh disagreed on that--he loves butter.

Laughter

I am in the need of some laughter, joy and happiness.  There has been to many tears, saddness and plain on bad moods around here lately.  Thus I decided we are having a good day today.  So far so good.  This morning I read Psalm 71:8 which talks about praising and glorifing God all day.  What a great way to have joy.

Josh had to go into work this morning so the boys and I had whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.  This is a new recipe and it was great.  Last night I could not sleep so I was reading blogs online.  Crystal from moneysavingmom.com posted this recipe recently.  She got it from another blog and changed it up alittle bit and what do you know so did I.  It is hard for me to follow a recipe to the T.  When I have a little more time I will post the recipe.  After breakfast and getting ready for the day and beds make and such the boys and I did some painting.  We painted boats, rainbows, christmas trees, candy canes and some free style.  It was fun.  Josh then got home and had to have a little snack of pancakes--he loved them!  Now Daddy and the boys are having some time together playing checkers.  It has been a good morning.  Can't wait to see what the afternoon holds for us.

Enjoy your family today and praise God for something.

Thanks and Update

Thank you so very much for all the cards, emails, phone calls, hugs and treats this past week.  Your words and actions have really touched my heart.  It is nice to know that my friends remember and care enough to let me know.  May 7, last Saturday, was the year anniversay of Jamie's delievery and this coming Wed, May 18 is the year anniversay of the funreal.  Please continue to pray for us as it is more painful than I thought it would be a year later.  My grandma said the other day that with each year it will be less painful--I sure do hope so. 

In church Sunday our guest speaker, Dr. Derouen said Ezekiel 24:18 is the hardest in the Bible.  In this verse Ezekiel's wife dies, but if you keep reading you find that her death was for a bigger purpose.  No matter how much pain Jamie's death has caused me and Josh I know that there is a bigger purpose. 

The boys and I went to visit Grandma Tyler yesterday.  She came home from the hospital last Friday.  She is doing tons better.  Please continue to pray for complete healing of her back and that she will obey the doctor's orders.