A Favorite Hymn: When I Survey the Wonderous Cross

1. While flipping through our hymn book today I came to this song. It had been awhile since I last sang or played it, and it was good to come across it again. 
   
   
   "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16
   
   
   
2. 
   
3. When I survey the wondrous cross
4. On which the Prince of glory died,
   My richest gain I count but loss,
   And pour contempt on all my pride.
5. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
   Save in the death of Christ my God!
   All the vain things that charm me most,
   I sacrifice them to His blood.
6. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
   Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
   Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
   Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
7. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
   That were a present far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,
   Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Random Favourite Photo #7: Little Farm Boy

This is one of my favorite pictures of Luke. He was watching his Daddy unload trucks by the grain dryer.  It was one of the last beautiful fall days of the year.  A few minutes after I took this, Graham walked over to see us and Luke was one happy little boy, he loves his Dad. :) 

God's Word Shall Stand!

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."  Isaiah 40:8

 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:1-3

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 

Thankful for God's Mercy, Compassions, and Faithfulness!

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." Lam. 3:25

Trying Something New: Moose Roast

Someone we know gave us some moose meat he got from hunting.  I'd never cooked moose so I was a bit unsure how to do it.  Glad for the Internet, where I found answers pretty quickly. :) 

The roast 

After looking, I decided to go with this recipe using a slow cooker. The recipe called for apple juice for the cooking liquid.  I was kind of sceptical, but thought I'd give it a try. I filled the crock pot with the juice until it reached 3/4 up the roast. The recipe also called for dry onion soup mix, which I didn't have so I added in some onion powder, onion flakes, parsley, salt pepper a touch of smoked paprika instead.  

 

Here is how it turned out looking.  The flavour was absolutely delicious!  There was no gamey taste at all, and you couldn't tell it was made with apple juice. I didn't time it in the crock pot, I just cooked until it was tender and shredded easily.  I made gravy with the cooking juices and added one package of turkey gravy mix to thicken it a bit. I know it sounds like an odd combination of flavours, but you'll just have to trust me that it was really good. :)   Now to try cooking some of the lamb chops in the freezer...

Hope you all are having a good day today! 

Ready to Learn

With all our little ones I've found this to be true, whether it's learning to count, or potty training.  In most cases, relaxing, and waiting until they are ready is always so much easier.  Every single child is unique and learns at different rates.  They will get it, it just might not be exactly like the neighbours two year old who is already reading at a third grade level! ;) 

Be Ye Doers of the Word

The man who hears Christian teaching, and never gets beyond hearing, is like “a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:" (Matt. 7:26). He satisfies himself with listening and approving, but he goes no further. 

He flatters himself, perhaps, that all is right with his soul, because he has feelings, convictions, and desires, of a spiritual kind. In these he rests. He never really breaks off from sin, and casts aside the spirit of the world. He never really lays hold of Christ. He never really takes up the cross. He is a hearer of truth, but nothing more. ~ J.C. Ryle

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22

What I've Been Eating/THM Meal Ideas

I thought I'd do a quick post on a few of the meals I've been eating on the Trim Healthy Mama plan.  I might not always post the recipes, but I hope the pictures and my description might give you all some inspiration if you are looking for an on plan meal idea. :) 

I had this super flavorful S soup for my supper a few nights back.  I had some leftover chicken and broth and thought I'd try making something with it. I added broccoli, nutritional yeast, pepper, onion and garlic powder, cream, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese and basil to the broth along with the chicken.  I didn't use a recipe so I'm sorry I can't share it here, but if you are looking for a similar soup this one looks good. 

I got this idea for my lunch from the THM cookbook.  One package single serve "Not Naughty Noodles" with butter, mozzarella cheese and smoked paprika, two boiled eggs with a side of turkey bacon. 

I made this porridge and actually enjoyed it. As with most THM recipes that use odd ingredients I had to tweak this one to my taste. I added butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and walnuts to mine. I think pumpkin pie spice would also be good. 

I didn't have much time on this evening, but I was really hungry, so I cooked up two hamburgers and had a double cheese burger, with lettuce mustard, and  pickles using a Joseph's pita for my bun. You could also use two cut to size low carb tortillas for the bun. 

These are just a few of the things I've been eating on the THM plan, I'll try and post more as I get the time. :) 

Something to Ponder

"God's Holy Word is absolute truth, we are to do what is right and that means following God’s standard and obeying His Word regardless of actions of others or the uncertainty of our circumstances. This is without exception and is meant for application in the most severe and extreme situations of life. When suffering injustice, hurt, or what we deem unfair, we are to remember Jesus Christ as our example." -Selected

"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:   Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:   Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.   For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

 1 Peter 2: 20-24

The Elm Sphinx Larva

This afternoon one of the children found this big green catapiller crawling in the grass. We put it in a bucket and took it inside to look it up. Turns out that it is a Elm Sphinx larva, sometimes called a Four-horned Sphinx because it has four spikes above its head, it also has a spike on its tail.

I was hesitant to pick it up after reading someone had been bitten hard enough to draw blood by one of these guys.

Ready to let it go. 

I'm always amazed by Gods creativity.  The catapiller would be well camouflaged on the elm leaf (shown on the left), which is their primary food source. 

When it's ready, it will crawl down the tree and burrow into the ground. This is a picture I found of what the pupa looks like. 

Next spring the moth will emerge.  With a wingspan of up to 4 1/2 inches, it's pretty big. :) 

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Psalm 104:24

Paint by Number Fun

Awhile ago Graham bought Abby a set of three paint by number pictures. She absolutely loved working on them and would beg me to get them out every day.  I was amazed by her persistence and diligence! She started off by painting all the colors that didn't need mixed, and then I'd help with whatever needed mixing, but she did 99.9%of the paintings herself. 

Working away! 

She was more than a little excited to finally have them all finished! 

It took a long time, but they turned out amazing. :) 

dil·i·gence

noun

• 1.careful and persistent work or effort.synonyms:conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, 

Turkey Dinner and Cinnamon Rolls

This past Sunday, Graham's Mom made and brought over turkey dinner. It was so thoughtful of her, and the food was delicious! 

The feast! Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade stuffing, nifty carrots, corn, cranberries and sweet tea. 

This is absolutely my favorite way to eat carrots! 

Turkey, potatoes, and stuffing. 

 

Then a few days ago she brought over a pan of these:

Still warm cinnamon rolls!

Oh no, these were too amazing to just have one. ;) Cinnamon rolls are one of my top favorite treats, and these were soo yummy! :) 

Feeling blessed! So thankful for wonderful in-laws! :) 

Quotable Quote

Scripture Verse for Today

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."  -Isaiah 30:28

GUARANTEED RECIPE! HOW TO BE PERFECTLY MISERABLE:

Think about yourself.
Talk about yourself.
Use "I" as often as possible.
Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others.
Listen greedily to what people say about you.
Expect to be appreciated.
Be suspicious.
Be jealous and envious.
Be sensitive to slights.
Never forgive a criticism.
Trust nobody but yourself.
Insist on consideration and respect.
Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown.
Never forget a service you may have rendered.
Be on the outlook for a good time for yourself.
Shirk your duties if you can.
Do as little as possible for others.
Love yourself supremely.
Be selfish. 

-Taken from an Above Rubies Facebook post.

Random Favorite Photo #5

Some of the children out crop checking with Graham. :) I took this picture several weeks ago, the peas have grown a lot since then! 

Jesus, Master, I am Thine

Jesus, Master, I am Thine:

Keep me faithful, keep me near;

Let Thy presence in me shine

All my homeward way to cheer.

Jesus, at Thy feet I fall,

Oh, be Thou my All in all.

-unknown

Saskatchewan Sky

This past Sunday, around sunset, the sky was absolutely beautiful!  I took all these pictures at the same time looking different directions.  

Looking up. :) 

Northeast.

Southeast

East. :) 

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2

Trim Healthy Mama Snack

I was so hungry this afternoon that I decided to do a little baking! If you have never visited Briana Thomas' website, you need to! :) She has so many yummy Trim Healthy Mama recipes it's hard to decide which one to make.  I'm really excited that she is planning on publishing a cookbook soon as well!   Today I made her chocolate chip cookie recipe.  They turned out better than I was expecting!  For my drink I make the "Singing Canary"from page 398 in the THM cookbook.  It tasted amazing!  I was looking for a good way to take my protein powder and this is the answer!   If you don't have everything on hand you can still make it, it's versatile. Next time I might use equal parts lemon and lime juice.  Here is how I made mine:

4 T. Lemon juice
3 doonks Pure Stevia Extract
1 scoop unflavoured protein powder
1 scoop Intergral Collagen
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2c. water
Ice

Mix everything but the water and ice in the bottom of a quart jar. Fill with ice to the top and then dump the water in. Stir and enjoy! :)

Note: Be sure to check out the original recipe as I left out a few ingredients I didn't have, and also changed amounts with the protein powder and Intergral Collagen.

What Have you Done Today?

"...whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:3b

What HAVE you done today?

I nursed a baby ‘till he slept,
I held a toddler while he wept,
I played a game of hide and seek,
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak,
I pulled a wagon, sang a song,
Taught a child right from wrong.

What DID I do this whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess it’s true,
Unless you think that what I’ve done
Might be important to someone
With bright blue eyes and soft blonde hair,
If that is true, I’ve done my share.
~ Anon.

The Killdeer Nest

While going on a walk through the bin yard recently I noticed two killdeer acting upset and knew they probably had a nest nearby.   After looking around the area and not seeing anything, the children and I walked closer to a small slough behind our house, almost immediately the male killdeer flew over and landed about 15 feet from us, chirping and fluffing his feathers to look bigger.  We started slowly toward the bird. He held his ground until we were around five feet from him (I was impressed by his bravery, even with five rambunctious loud children walking toward him he didn't back down.)  at which point he flew a short distance away giving a piercing loud call, and began dragging his left wing in the familiar killdeer behaviour.  I knew then that the nest was very close and I told the children to hold still for a minute while I walked forward looking closely at the surrounding ground.  There it was! Four camouflaged eggs lay tucked together right in front of where the killdeer had been standing. :)  

The iPad I was using to take these pictures doesn't do a great job, but you can kind of see the male killdeer in the middle of this picture. 

The nest! 

Getting a closer look. 

 The spotted eggs. 

After getting a few pictures, we quickly backed away and watched until the mother bird returned to the nest. 

In a few days I hope to walk back out and see if the eggs have hatched. Because killdeer chicks are precocial, we might have a tough time finding them, but I hope we will at least be able to see them even if it's from a distance.   Brave as they may be, we don't want to upset mom and dad killdeer too much. Lol 

I enjoy bird watching a lot.  Lately I've noticed a few Northern Flickers feeding on the  ground in the front yard, William called me today saying "Look Mom there's a duck!" turned out it was a Northern Flicker. :)  Humming birds have been fun to watch in the back yard, and for several days I was almost positive I was hearing the distinctive, almost annoying call of the cedar waxwing, but could never spot any. A few days later I looked out the living room window and sure enough there they were! They are beautiful birds. 

"O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."  Psalm 104:24 

Pots of Flowers

Last week, I bought a bunch of flower plants to put in hanging pots for our patio.  A few of the older children and I had a nice time planting them. 

Some of the flowers.

Two of the hanging pots. 

I thought these were beautiful! 

It's been fun watching the humming birds come to the feeder as well as to all the flowers! 

The children love sidewalk chalk as you can see. :) 

Hope you all are having a happy spring so far! :) 

Random Favorite Photo #4

Abby has been wanting to try making a boat that would float in a little pool of water behind our yard. Yesterday we made a bunch of newspaper boats and here is Abby and Willy trying one of them out. Next time we go to town I hope to pick up some supplies to try making some more durable boats with the children. :) 

Our Thoughts by Nancy Campbell

"We all know that our thinking helps determine who we are and how we live. It has an effect on the atmosphere of our home. It effects how we relate to our husbands and children.

Left to ourselves, we are prone to low thoughts. Self-pitying, discouraging, despairing, doubting, and negative thoughts. It’s unbelievable how we gravitate to these kind of thoughts. But there is good news. When Jesus Christ died upon the cross, He died to not only save us from our sins, but from our debilitating thought life. If Christ dwells in our hearts, we have His mind. 

Jesus Christ does not think low, negative thoughts. His thoughts are high thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, 9 says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

And of course you know 2 Timothy 1:7 where it tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of a “sound mind.” This is God’s gift to us through the cross of Christ, through the life of Christ who lives within us...

Come on dear ladies, let’s rise up from our low, inferior thought life. Fill your mind with His Word which are God’s thoughts, His high thoughts. Do not tolerate any longer the humanistic thought patterns that seek to overcome you. 

Please be blessed as I encourage you, for this is what God tells me to do. When God tells the older women to teach the younger women in Titus 2:3-5, He emphasizes this word two times. We are to teach the younger women to be “discreet”... and to be “sober”...meaning “disciplined, self-controlled.” 

Rein in your self-defeating thoughts. Yield to the Spirit instead of the flesh. Think God’s HIGH thoughts today. Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”"

 ~ Nancy Campbell

Quotes