Being grateful

Painting by Minerva Teichert

This evening I had the chance to entertain some friends that drove up from GA. As I was cooking in the kitchen I saw my husband and the couple on our back porch and found myself jealous. I thought "I want to be out there lounging too. I want to listen. I want to enjoy their company. But instead I'm stuck in here preparing dinner that I SHOULD have prepared most of it earlier." yatta yatta yatta! Complaining.

Then I got a question posed to me by the Lord. "Are you Martha or Mary right now?" Yeowch! I hung my head in shame.

I could see the whole story from the Bible in an instant. How Martha felt bitter towards Mary (not that I was bitter to my friend), how she grew impatient and angry because she wasn't getting the help she wanted. Maybe even some frustration because she was trying to have everything put together for a nice meal, and was doing it alone.

Once I recalled this and the part where the Lord says "Mary has choosen the better part," I realized my husband and family were enjoying the better part. Talking about the Lord in their life while I was inside preparing the food.

My heart instantly changed. How selfish I was. The Lord melted my heart and I got to change my perception to "I am so glad they are out there enjoying each other's company, and that I have the ability to prepare a healthy meal while they talk about the Lord." WOW!

That, ya'll, was only the Lord. My heart calmed down. The frustration and jealousy immediatly left. I was grateful. Grateful to serve.

Thank you Lord for teaching me. I am grateful to serve.

God's peace be with you,

Mrs. Peterson

Annual Family Pumpkin Patch visit

We have had a standing tradition since the girls were little. Each fall we would go to a local pumpkin patch and gift shop. They would bounce in hay or take a maze. In Georgia we got to go on a haunted hay ride, what a hoot that was!

Here we are for this fall. We were blessed to have Danielle with us. Nothing makes a mom's (or stepmom in my case) heart sore like your daughter holding your hand in public. Even at 19. Yep that was a keeper moment.

Chris waiting for us and watching little one's play in the hay.

Danielle and me, a treasured time.

Isn't she silly.

Chris' pick for our family pumpkin.

We have had white pumpkins, green pumpkins (when we were stationed in Okinawa), little pumpkins and bumpy pumpkins...but never a tall one. We shall see what he creates this year.

God's peace be with you...and Happy Fall!

Dee

Family Reunion

After 22 years, the kids of the Love family got together. And what a time we had! We all flew in and spent several days together in So. FL. My half-brother had a time share. How exciting!

I wasn't raised with the 4 of them (one is missing) but the 3 that made it shared memories and I got to share my life too. Very awkward for a bit but things settled right in.

When it was time to go, I actually had forgotten about the "saying goodbye" part. And I started crying. After my half-brother dropped my husband and I off at the airport, I just broke down in tears. He has cancer and was in the midst of finding a new drug that would work. Praise God, he is in remission now.

My family (p.s. We are the last of the Love family as far as we know.):

The first moments after we all flew in.

Remembering.

My neice Lauren and I. We are the only 2 in all my Dad's kids and their kids that look alike. Wild huh?! She has a twin sister that looks like the Love family, I take more of the Gasaway family (yep we have deep roots in Iowa ya'll).

God's peace,

Dee

Blessing...

So, am I blessing me or my family?

Some people say taking a break to have a cup of tea or read for a short spell is selfish. "There is much to do", or you may hear "how do you have the time".

Each afternoon about 4:00 pm I take a break. The corner of my couch becomes my get-a-way. With a warm cup of my favorite tea, a small snack and an interesting book gives me a 30 minute get-a-way from my day.

I have often thought of this as self-ish, or there is one more thing I must do before I start dinner. How many times does that happen and we never take a break? Days...weeks...months..

As I sat down to snuggle in, I looked at the scene and thought "Am I blessing myself or my family by making myself take this time?" Both.

Sitting down for a bit, I am blessing myself since I get to refresh my body and mind. Taking tea, that part renew's my spirit. This is a great way to take care of my health or just to enjoy a sipping kind of tea. Reading a lovely book that interests me is a way to get my mind off the journey of the day. When my 30 minutes is up, I get up with a relaxed mind, body and spirit.

This is the part that blesses my family. Walking into the kitchen to make dinner with a calm mind and spirit creates the atmosphere of easing into the evening for my family. I am better prepared to go into the evening hours with the mindset that the day is winding down and I need to get my home and myself ready for tomorrow. My husband may come in and still be in the harried mode of "oh my gosh there is so much to do", but with my relaxed mindset, we are able to come together and enjoy a peaceful evening. Sometimes with a few giggles inbetween because we are in different modes.

I'm off. It's tea time!

God's peace,

Dee

A humble scene

Welcome! It has been quite some time since I have posted. I am still feeling the call to develop my writing skills and to share in my experience as a wife and homemaker. It fasinates me that so many women I meet feel the same way I do, "I just don't understand what it is to be a 'Christian wife', and "the job of homekeeping is so overwhelming I never know whre to start so I don't." I too feel this way, often, and am here to share with you a warm hug. I believe that together we can support and encourage each other.

I had this opportunity last night. During a wind storm last night we had winds here that were about 70mph. The power went out about 5:30 ish, and didn't come back on until this morning at 10:30. While Chris was finishing his homework I noticed our fence had come apart from the wind, and was being pulled farther apart. We went out so Chris could repair the fence, THANK YOU Chris!!, and heard a huge snap. A tree down the street fell on our neighbors home.

Chris went down to see if he could help, and came back with one of the tenants who is a friend, and the 2 little dogs that lived in the home. She was in shock. Deanna had been in her bedroom upstairs when the tree went through the roof.

This was an opportunity the Lord gave us to serve, so we took the dogs for her while she contacted the owners and other friends to stay with them. I made some tea and Chris went down to ensure no one was still around or in the home. It was very humbling.

After a bit, she and the owners went to a friends to stay the night. I was ever so thankful for our home, for God's mercy and protection, and for a husband who cares. I was grateful for the security of our home during the wind storm though my fears and anxieties rose each time I heard trees cracking.

My loving husband came to the rescue. He got our hurricane lamp from the back porch and we got snacks and a warm blanket to sit on the front porch. It was such a comfort to be together and to pray together for our blessings.

My heart goes out to that family, but their pain and disaster has been a very humbling experience for both of us.

Never forget what you have and always be grateful, for the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.

God's peace,
Mrs. Dee

Being a pilgrim

I read in the Bible recently how we are all pilgrims on earth. Making our way back to heaven to spend eternity in the promise made by God, through Jesus.

It has changed the way I look at my life and I see my self on a day to day journey, foot path if you will, of events that I have a choice in. Each choice will present the opportunity to allow God to speak to me about His will or I can hurry and do my will.

The Lord is not in the chaos!

As I go through the day and invite Him into each decision or event, I am making the choice to stay on that path, to be the pilgrim I am, and walk through my life with His guidance so I can come home some day.

You are a pilgrim too! God is calling you, can you hear Him? Remember, the Lord is not in the chaos!

God's peace,
Dee

Time off

Some friends and blogging friends have asked what happened? Well, I'll tell you.

I found myself daily "lost" in the world of blogging. Reading others, posting, changing mine because I like what someone else did (which took a lot of time as I have no clue about changing things.) then as I connected my shoulder and back muscle cramps to being on the computer I started to reasses why?

Why DO I blog? Well, I'm in a program that promotes honesty, so, Pride. I wanted to have a blog that was as nice as so and so, or up date daily like so and so, or have a purpose like her.

Then it dawned on me. I am not doing anything in my free time, what little there is, besides sitting here in front of a computer. Joy!

So, I stopped. I went through withdrawls almost. "oh, I wonder what she has posted today about?" "Ooo, I bet she has some inspirational insights about the Simple Life today, she is such a wise woman." The temptations lasted about a week or two. Then I got lost in gardening. I LOVE GARDENING much more then sitting in front of a computer.

I also love reading books that bring me closer to God. I love watching Chrisian based movies. And more recently, I am realizing the importance of actually studying the Steps of Al-Anon, rather then just reading about them. (My Dad is my qualifier ya'll!)

I get sucked into everyone else's life...except mine. Don't get me wrong, I found great consolation in other's writings. And miss them very much. I got my home in shape with pretty things, I have looked at the world I live in with a different perception..all because of friends in the blogging world.

So, why post now? I miss writing for a purpose. And am thinking about posting again. I always get sidetracked though. I'm a sinner, like us all, and I tend to listen to the lies of the devil and think Oh..I can just read this ONE today. Ha, 30 minutes later.

I'm contemplating just writing on my blog those things that are important to me and my family and emailing those who choose to communicate that way. Not getting into everyone else's blogs. That is tough.

We are pilgrims on a journey. A journey back to Our Father. Chunks of time on the computer will not get me closer to my Father. So I'm still contemplating.

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Road trip

Last Wednesday we took a road trip to see a doctor for me. It was a fruitful trip. God is good and provided an answer to a plea of prayer for continued healing for my health. I have had no symptoms of Fibro for a couple years, but the digestion problems just wouldn't let go. This doctor has made a remarkable change in my body by using Applied Kinesology. I have studied herbs and nutrition, but this takes the cake. All I can say is God is good.

While we were up there we drove on into Cleveland to a Dillard's outlet store (to much chaos for me though) and we saw the Great Lake FROZEN! So I grabbed my faithful camera and snapped a few shots to share.

This last one was the skyline into Cleveland. Neat to visit but sure glad I don't live here!

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Kitchen Blessings

I have always been the kind of cook that can have 1 or 2 things going at the same time, but not 3. And that is within the same meal, like making dinner. Something gets put in the oven or covered to keep warm while I tend to the rest. I have learned and respect my limits.

I was in the midst of several baking projects and stood back in awe as I watched how the Lord was blessing me in my efforts. I had already made my Coconut macaroons, which were baking, and had homemade whole wheat bread rising for the second half, and was making dinner when I realized what was happening. Words can't even begin to discribe the feelings I had. It just confirmed for me that all things are possible with God, and that were there is true effort the Lord blesses. I am so grateful for His help.

If you look closely, the bread is rising under the green towel on the stove, the cookies are in the oven and I'm cutting the sweet potato for dinner. In front of me is my trusty homemade cookbook of all my favorite or collected recipes...held together with blue duct tape! No graceful way to hide that!

The first completed baked good: (No sugar) Coconut Macaroons! Made with a touch of honey, sliced almonds and lots of unsweetened coconut.

Homemade bread from scratch for C! He loves bread. This one was new for me. I used a recipe from the back of the King Arthur flour bag and it called for honey or molasses and powdered milk. C says it's very moist and tastey!
This was our supper. Seasoned roasted chicken breasts with cubed sweet potato's, steamed green beans with slivered almonds. Very tastey! I make all my seasonings, this one has cayanne, curry, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

All praise to Him, for all the food provided and the creation put it all together.

God's peace,

Dee

Sunday Brunch

We had a wonderful couple over for breakfast. Mark & Krista w/ baby Kate. Chris enjoys making pancakes on Sunday's (or waffles) and makes all the fixin's to go with it. I was so excited to have them over to catch up and fill our tummies with warm homemade pancakes. We enjoyed a wonderful "catch up" chat time with them before off to church!

God's peace~

Dee

Home cooked Breakfast

Many friends always gasp when they hear I don't eat dairy, wheat (flour) or sugar. The first question is always "what do you eat"? I have posted some other meal ideas, but here's another:

Breakfast this morning:

Scrambled eggs

Steamed Kale w/ olive oil and a sprinkle of salt (kale is good for calcium)

Hot butternut squash cereal w/ almond milk and toasted walnuts (very yummy!)

Bon Appetite!

Part of being a homemaker is studying nutrition for your family. Since my dietary needs are also part of my studying I have learned how to "Eat to Live" rather than "Live to Eat".

God's Peace be with you~

Dee

My Valentine

He is my protector. He is my best friend. He holds me when I want to world to disappear. He loves me with all my developing wrinkles. He loves me inspite of my past. He is my love.

I baked him a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies this morning (his favorite) and took some to his class at the college. (We are taking 1 class together so I see him.). You should have seen the look on his face. My husband was so moved by my loving gester. It was worth all the time I took to do it. That warm feeling I get in my tummy that says "I did it" I gave him something to show him how much I love him. In return while I was out grocery shopping My Valentine left me love notes all over the house:

C took an erasable marker and wrote on the glass and mirrors all around the house. To bad you can't see what this one says! {wink}


My Love note on my kitchen window.
Isn't he sweet!

And the best part was outside. He shuffled his feet around to make them. How cute!! I'm so in love.

Thank you Lord for my husband.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and God's peace.

Mrs. Dee Peterson

Snow Day

It snowed all day yesterday and the college closed for the afternoon due to the of snow and ice. That meant I got a little snuggle time with C. :-) He has such a big heart. The back steps get slick and the dogs have a hard time, so after it snowed he was out sweeping off the snow to keep it from icing for the dogs. Isn't he sweet.

You can see our littlest dog was trying to attack a snow covered ball. It was funny to watch her growl and jump at it, then spit it out and stick out her tongue due to the ice on it.

She's the little princess here.

A stitch in time

My sewing buddy (he's talking to C as he takes the pic!)


Carefully stitching while thinking of the patches in the quilt.

This past weekend I was able to get to some much needed repairs on a quilt that I have. My grandmother made this many years ago (before I was around) and used bits and pieces of fabric from her clothing and my dad's clothing. What a treasure. Ever since I inherited a box that had her linens in it I have had this on my bed to use on those cold nights. Needless to say, here in Ohio those nights are often. This morning it was all of 7 degrees here!! Thanks be to God for my quilt.

I also find it comforting when I'm sick, or just want to rest with a cup of tea. The stitching required was much needed as some of the fabric is starting to wear thin. Some patches aren't the most professional, but it is holding it together nicely and I can get many more years of use out of it again.


As I sit and repair this quilt, I can't help but look at how wasteful I've been with some clothing for the kids and us. If we don't like it or it's worn out, how many have I just donated to tossed when the fabric could be used to make a memory such as this wonderful quilt my grandmother sewed with love. It has allowed me some time to ponder those items we dearly love and don't want to toss. What better use for them than to cut pieces of fabric and start collecting them for a quilt!



~God's peace be with you today,

Dee

Just a waitin'

My beloved husband loves when I make homemade rolls. So I tried something different and used the recipe for a bread loaf. He was so excited that he came down and sat in the kitchen watching it bake. He is so cute. It made me feel good that he was so excited for some homemade baked goods. It really doesn't take very long, and it is so much more nutritous than the store bought stuff. There is room for improvement though. I'm trying to get it more fluffy. I only use whole wheat, so I'm doing some research to see what I can do to make it more bread like.

Old Blue

Last night the truck I had inherited just closed for auction on ebay. I've got mixed emotions about selling it, but sometimes we have to make a decision that will preserve our serenity. Selling this will do that for me.

I got what my reserve was, and get this, the bid came in with 4 SECONDS left. God is so amazing. If He wants it done it will happen, but I always am reminded that it is in HIS time not Dee's time. I had given up on selling it even as Chris kept hitting the refresh button as the bid was closing. It wasn't until the last 4 seconds that this guy's bid came in. I am so glad for him too, he really wants this truck and is so excited about getting it.

The new owner lives in NY and I'm sure it will be well taken care of. He is so excited.

It's a long story as to why I needed to sell it. I won't go into the nitty gritty here except that most of the memories I have with that truck are not uplifting. God has wanted me to let that truck go since I inherited it last year when dad died. I didn't listen, and once we moved to OH we had it hauled out here. What an eye opener. Sitting in this truck as an adult when all the memories are when I was a kid. God knows what's best. I am being obedient and trusting He is the guide for my life.

I am so excited to see someone get it that really wants it. It's a God thing that's for sure.

God's peace,

Dee

The blessing of herbs

I have read in the Bible several times, the Lord gives us herbs for our needs. Today, I am Praising the Father for the herbs He has provided for me. I have come down with the "Steubenville crud" as many folks around here so lovingly state. Actually I think it's just a mild flu, no fever - again thanks be to God. So what happen's when the wife is down and out....

My loving husband steps up to help and plays nurse, all while exercising lots of patience as I tend to get short tempered when I'm sick. I love you C! Thank you for all your hard work today and nursing me back to health.

Part of this process is keeping all other family members from getting sick. That means my loving C has gotten his daily dose of Emergen-C, Echincea 2x/day and his multi vitamin. For me,oh the list.

Thursday I started with: extra Vit. C, GSE 2x, and my special "Kill a cold" drink (see below)

Friday: The same above, but I added Oscillo... yes it really does work. By the evening my headache and body aches where almost gone. I did add probiotics right before bed.

Today: GSE, Oscillo.., and my special drink. The headache and body aches are gone now, but the cough and runny nose just won't take a hike, so I am keeping up the the "special" drink.

Many of you have seen this on my blog before. Every winter I give this recipe out, and as a friends husband said "well this oughta' kill somethin', hopefully not me!" Ha! But he drank it and was better by the next day.

Here's my recipe:

A warm mug of water

1 FRESH garlic (don't use the powder stuff that won't do diddly) - known to kill viruses

A little less that an 1/8 tsp. Cayanne - known to increase blood flow and can help expell mucus

If desired honey to taste (roughly 1/2 - 1 tsp.).

Crush the garlic into the mug, add the sprinkle of Cayanne and a touch of honey then sip, DON'T CHEW the garlic! That's important, that will keep you from having strong garlic breath.

One of these a day, no more then 3 days in a row. Usually only one is needed, unless you have the flu.

And Voila:

A potent drink that has chased away many a cold in our house. Aside from a cough, I am doing much better, in only 2 days. God is amazing. Now if I'll just park it and enjoy the rest, rather then trying to jump in and help so much. Hmm..I hear the pillow on the couch calling me.

God's peace be with you~

Weekend events

We had several events that I am grateful for and wanted to write about them. My husband is part of a men's group that meets every Saturday morning. This past Saturday the Spirit moved many men, and my husband was one of them. He came home with this awe about him, telling me how he has realized his role as husband and protector. I don't mean physical protector, I mean spritual protector. As we sat at the table over coffee & tea ;-) , he explained to me how his choices that allow "seeds" to be planted in his spiritual garden actually leaves gaping holes where evil can attack us, and me. While he explained this and how it is his job, the job that the Father gave him, to weed out all the seeds and to guard his garden, and in essence encourage me to guard mine. This spiritual act of protection, also protects me as his wife from evil coming into my life. I have learned that the enemy uses me as a woman because I am weak. I sometimes listen to the lies until it's already a weed in my garden. Then it takes the Spirit to reveal this to me, then me to own up to what I've done, and begin the work of weeding it out with the Father's help. Thanks be to God for His mercy and love.

Hence, if we lift each other up while keeping in mind our goal as husband and wife is to live and encourage the other so their soul gets to heaven, we can be watchful of our garden.

Our second event was attending a murder-mystery play. It was small, only 40-50 people, but how fun. Our group was discussing together all the possible conclusions. The audience was allowed to interview the "suspects", that was fun too. All in all, it ended up being the obvious, the deceased's fiance did it out of jealousy! Ha! It was good entertainment for $5.

Our Lord's Day was fabulous. We had made a decision several weeks ago that we would not get on the computer for the day. It seems to take away from the focus of a day of rest while focusing on the Father. So, though C had homework, we stayed with our commitement AND got to enjoy some time with Danielle. She came home for a couple hours to do laundry. The Lord is working in her as well, praise God. She is growing and changing, with out my "help". That's another post for another day. I will end with the slogan "Live and Let Live" as this keeps the focus on me and allows God to work in others' lives as He see's fit.

God's peace~

Dee

Birthday celebration

Wow, look at that glow! C said he needed to get the extinguisher just in case, goofy guy!
The joy of "magic" candles that continuously re-light. Danielle and I had fun trying to catch them unlight to put them in water.

January 7th was my birthday and I chose to celebrate it quietly and humble, giving thanks to The Father for giving me life. Days past I wasn't grateful, yet as time has gone on and I've learned who God is and that I'm here for Him and His greater plan, I've come to a humbly appreciate my place in it all. He is so loving and is always holding us in His palm. He knows EVERYTHING we do. He even knows I have a neighbor that has experienced a youthful life somewhat similiar to mine and neither of us knew until we decided to get together over dinner. My Father is so awesome, He knows what I need and just when to give it. He loves you too, and is just waiting for you to come to Him in prayer and share with Him your hurts and ask Him for the things your heart desires. Now, that doesn't mean we will get it...if it is His will we will get what we desire, but in His time. I've learned to tailor my desires to "if this will bring Him glory." If it doesn't, I don't want it either.

Hmm, started on my birthday and the Holy Spirit took over. I'm grateful to be a servant of the King.

So, for birthday supper we ate grilled Turkey burgers, sliced sweet potatoes - grilled (yum), and steamed broccoli, seasoned. And for desert - since I don't eat dairy, wheat or sugar..in anything, I made this wonderful Brownie mix using ground pecans and carob powder. My family enjoyed it as well with me, and even seconds (that tell's me it wasn't that terrible ;-) And of course what's always in my hand, a warm cup of tea.

I wasn't so fond of all the glow on the "cake", but it was heartwarming looking at all the years that I have celebrated and being grateful for the Father loving me through them all and all the choices I've made.

God's peace be with you today~

Dee

The woodoworker

Being inspired to have a room or small corner of our house devoted to prayer and our time with God has fostered the creative woodworker in my husband. He has such a gift for woodworking that each time I see him work I can't help but imagine the carpentry work of Saint Joseph. The creativity and the way God has given my husband the gift to understand all the math involved in creating something from scratch...with no plans. Check out his current project. He started it and finished it all in the same night. And now when I kneel to pray to the Father, I give thanks for something soft, yet sturdy.

~God's peace be with you

Dee