No Title Necessary

This one photo says it all. My house is in a bit of chaos, and I have a very active toddler. This is part of the reason why I haven't posted in so long. That, and I have spent too many precious hours reading about other people's lives on facebook. But no more. I have one week left to prepare for the arrival of Enoch's Mom and sister, to celebrate a particular boy of ours turning seven, and to complete some demo craft projects for our church's upcoming Community Bible School next month. So while I'm supposed to be cleaning the house, I'm also supposed to be making things with glue and Popsicle sticks, while at the same time not neglecting my motherly and wifely responsibilities and keeping everything else running as smoothly as usual. The good thing is that as a born procrastinator (16 days overdue and born on the last minute of the hour), I supposedly work well under pressure. Emphasis on the word work. And so thus I go.

No Greater Joy

Amid the chaos that is inevitable in a home such as ours, I have much to be thankful for. I have been particularly blessed lately by the conversations that I've been having with my 8-year-old. He is a deep thinker. He really wants to know the truth about God and the Bible and eternal matters. He wants to obey, to please God, to forsake his sin. But he is constantly brought back to a place of being reminded of his sinfulness. And sometimes he seems even tortured by the battle. His passions run high. He is strong-willed and challenges authority. He is a natural-born leader and people-person. And yet he has such a tenderness in his heart to the things of God. He regularly takes his Bible to school and reads it to his classmates. He shares the truth about God's word as he is learning it at home and in church. He is concerned that he might not be telling his friends all the right things. He keeps coming back and asking me, "So what exactly are the things I should be telling my friends that they need to know to get to heaven?"

Recently he asked me if I had a choice for Jesus to return right now or sometime in the distant future, which would I choose. I thought briefly before answering. And I said, "Right now, of course!" I can remember being his age and tormented by the thought of death and eternity. While I knew the right answer would be to choose heaven rather than stay here on earth, I remember really wanting earth more. I wanted to fall in love and get married and have babies. I had much to look forward to that I didn't want to miss. And I didn't really look forward to dying!

I'd like to think that my answer now is due to the fact that I truly love the Lord so much that I can't wait to be in His presence. In my heart, I think that is my honest motivation. And I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that I have fallen in love, gotten married, and had babies. I have also tasted the bitter parts and felt the pain that comes from living in a sinful, corrupt world. My fair portion, I think, although I can say with confidence that there will be more to come. While on the one hand I still have so much to look forward to in this life, I have been blessed to have reached some of the major milestones that I have always dreamed of. And I would be happy, even thankful to the Lord if He were to bring it all to an abrupt end by returning or calling me to be with Him.

Some might call this musing a little bit morbid. Perhaps it is. But this is my point, I think: I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4) I am not only confident that we are leading our children to walk in God's truth, but I am hopeful that they will desire to do so even after we are gone. And whether we go now or 50 years from now, or if Christ returns before then, I have that desire in my heart and it gives me hope and joy to see it begin to show signs of fruit in their lives now.

Divide and Conquor

Well it seems that ever since I went from one blog to two, my frequency of posting has nearly come to a standstill! I could blame it on a lot of things. Right now my excuse is that we're out of batteries. Every batter-operated thing: toys, TV remote, camera, has run out of juice at the same time. Actually, I took the batteries out of the camera to put into my computer's wireless mouse so it would still function. And now even those batteries are fading. (Sigh.) So that's all. Nothing profound to write today. Just thought I'd update y'all on a little-known fact of our lives today. (Please e-mail me if you know of any good battery coupons or deals going on!)

Train Up A Child

Tonight I was putting the kids to bed in the usual manner. After praying, we sing some bedtime songs. I limit it to one song requested by each child, usually, and it has to be a soft melody. So tonight, my oldest son picked first: The Lord Is My Shepherd, I'll Walk With Him Always. We recited Psalm 23, and then sang the sweet little tune. It’s an old favorite of ours. Next, his younger brother chose his song: As The Deer, from Psalm 42:1. Another favorite. I just love hearing my own children singing such wonderful songs of commitment to the Lord! Finally, it was my 3-year-old daughter's turn to select the last song. In her little raspy but sweet voice she said in all seriousness, “Um, God Is Great, Beer Is Good, And People are Crazy.” I guess we’ve got a lot more training to do!

Chocolate Mint Brownines

I love making these brownies on or around St. Patrick's Day, since they have a little green stripe in them in the middle layer of frosting. This recipe is from an old church cookbook, Seasoned With Love, from Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas, Oregon, Morris Press, 2001. Submitted by Andrea Friesen, pg. 309.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

First Layer:

1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 can Hershey's Syrup
1 c. flour

Second Layer:

2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 Tbs. water
1/2 tsp. mint extract
3 drops green food coloring

Third Layer:

6 Tbs. butter or margarine
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. mint extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. In order given, mix the butter, sugar, eggs, syrup and flour to make first layer. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake approximately 30 minutes. Do not over bake. Mix ingredients for second layer and spread on cooled brownies. For third layer, melt ingredients in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir until completely melted. Cool until slightly thickened, then spread on top.

Merrilee's additional tips: I've found the most success melting things in the microwave by using the defrost setting. It takes longer, but reduces the risk of burning the chocolate and rendering it impossible to work with. Since there's so much butter in these, you'll want to store them in the fridge if you're not eating them right away. But I think whole thing is best when eaten at room temperature. While I prefer to cook with butter, these taste just as good with margarine. If you just can't make brownies from scratch or with so much butter and eggs, you could try just putting layers two and three on top of your favorite brownie recipe. Happy Green-Minty-Middle-of-March!

Singing and Making Music With Our Hearts

Ever since my first children were very young, we have always prayed at bedtime, and then ended the day singing songs. When they were really little, we sang baby songs. But the older they have gotten, the better the song selection has gotten. Now we have a broader range of ages to work with, but I love the fact that for years now, we have ended nearly every day singing praises to God.

And my kids keep me humble. Sometimes I think I sound really good (and sometimes I actually do), and sometimes my voice is squeaky and probably pitchy in places (more than I’d like to admit). But they don’t seem to notice from one day to the next whether I’m having a good singing day or a bad one. All that matters to them is that we do it every night.

I know I’m rambling on about this, but I just wanted to capture the thoughts and put them down. Because I love the fact that that is how my children end nearly every day, praising the Lord. And I love the fact that that is how I end nearly every day with my children, even the toughest days: thankful that the day is over and that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceased, His mercies never came to an end; and confident and thankful that they are new every morning.

Last night, I was reminded of a hymn I first heard sung on an old favorite cassette called Treasures by Bonnie Knopf. The original lyrics are by Isaac Watts, but these lyrics are as I remember them (not word-perfect):

I sing the Almighty power of God that made the mountains rise;

That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies;

I sing the Goodness that ordained the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food;

Who formed the creatures with His word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed wher’ere I turn my eye;

If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze across the sky!

This song really touched my heart as I recalled the lyrics and sang it to my children. I was especially thankful for yet another good song that enforces the truth of God's word, and the fact that He is the creator and sustains the universe. And that is all the musings for today.

Favorite Crock Pot Recipe

I'm sure my regular readers are wondering whether I was permanently buried under 4 feet of snow. But no. Just trying to prioritize. And so this post might not make any sense. But I posted a link on another blog, and now I've got to post about what I have in my crock pot today. Good, since I actually do have something in the crock pot today! This is a recipe that I originally got from Cooking Light Magazine probably about 6 years ago when I was a subscriber. But this is from memory:

Crock Pot White Beans and Sausage

1. Dump 1 bag of dried white beans into the crock pot. (Discard any yucky looking ones or foreign objects that made their way into the bag)

2. Brown 1-inch sausage pieces in a large skillet, and add to the crock pot. (Amounts of meat varies based on your family's needs. We like spicy Italian sausage, but non-spicy also works well.)

3. While meat is browning (if you didn't mince shallots and garlic ahead of time), mince 6-8 shallots and 1-3 cloves garlic. These will go in the pan after you remove the meat and wipe out excess grease. (If you don't have shallots, use any variety of onion you have on hand, about 1/2 cup or so.)

4. Add the "aromatics" (shallots/garlic) to the pan, but turn off heat. The residual heat will soften these a little before you add them to the crock pot, and will help soak up the tasty brown bits in the pan. You can also add a little water or chicken stock before dumping it into the crock pot.

5. Add thyme, celery seed, and salt and pepper to taste. (Fresh thyme is preferred, but use what you have!)

6. Add enough chicken stock (or water) to cover the meat with about 1 inch liquid over the top of the meat.

7. Turn on crock pot to desired setting and plan to have a lovely meal! Serve in soup bowls with crusty bread and a green salad.

My Little Secret

Before I could finish my oatmeal, I had to take him upstairs to change a smelly diaper. Then I came across a potato (yes, that's right) in the hallway that he had been playing with like a ball. While I was returning it to it's rightful place, he took all the books off the bookshelf and piled them on the floor. While I was picking up the books, he was in the kitchen pouring dish detergent into the dishwasher and on the floor. While I was sweeping it up, he had found a bowl of popcorn and was throwing it like confetti in the dining room. Before I could finish cleaning that up, he had opened the floor puzzle box, emptied it, and was standing on the lid until it broke. People wonder how a woman with four kids can be as thin as I am. I have a toddler.

Finally

I wish I had more to write this morning, but I don't. On this rare opportunity that I have to sit and write uninterrupted by my own children, I find that I provide my own mental distraction. And there's nothing I can think of to write that doesn't merit the delete button. Including all that I've written so far.

So instead I finally took down the Christmas tree on my sidebar and changed the blog colors. At least its something. I'd like to take on a whole new look, but that will be my reward for actually writing consistently for a while. (And in case you're wondering, no, I did not just remove the Christmas tree in my home. It's been down for quite some time now.)

This morning I found a new favorite website that I hope to visit often in order to get myself more in the right mindset for writing. It's called Encouraging Words for Writers. I'm thinking about attending a conference this fall where Bonita Lillie will be speaking. Again, it might be a good reward for actually writing consistently for a while, and I already have some money put aside for it, which makes me more excited.

But it's going to take more than just re-arranging the virtual frosting. It's going to require that I wake up earlier, read more, and write more. But that's what I think I want to do. Stay tuned.

Small Changes

Happy New Year Everyone. Wow. It's three weeks into the new year? I feel like I'm just beginning to wake from a long winter's nap!

I've not been very gung-ho about new-year resolutions in recent years. But I certainly am attempting to make small changes. One of them is concerning this blog. As you've noticed, I haven't posted here in a while, and I hope for that to change. But I will be making other changes as well.

One change that any regular reader of this blog should know about is a personal change: I've started another blog! I just started it today, in fact. And it will look much like this one. It's title is also very similar, Merrilee's Amusings. The only difference (so far) is that to access it, you will need a personal invitation from me. If you have not received such an invitation but would like one, please e-mail me at merrilee (dot) stevenson (at) gmail (dot) com. (Or I suppose you could also post a comment here and give me your e-mail address so I can send you an invitation.)

The reason behind this is somewhat complicated, and I only have a minute before I have to wake up the kids and go pick up the other kids from school. But it is for their sakes. I will no longer be posting photos of them here. So if you want to see how the weeds are growing and how wacky we are, you'll just have to get my permission first.

Sorry this is so short. This blog will still remain. I hope to do more writing here in the near future. But I at least had to take care of some business and get the ball going in the right direction first.

An Average Joe?

As we are in the midst of the Christmas season, we are reminded over and over again of the story of Christ's birth. Usually it's the narrative in Luke that gets the most attention, with the account of Zachariah and Elizabeth and Mary the mother of Jesus. However, I just recently started reading the first seven chapters of Matthew for my daily bible reading, and I have been appreciating some things about Matthew's account of Christ's birth, especially what I have learned about Joseph, the husband of Mary.

He was a righteous man. (1:19-20) Although he would have been within his rights to have Mary stoned because she was found to be with child while they were only betrothed, Joseph did not want to disgrace her. He planned to send her away secretly. This shows that he was merciful and not legalistic in his righteousness. While God does use and has used the unrighteous to accomplish His will, His most high and holy will is accomplished through those who willingly yield their lives to Him, as Joseph did.

He was obedient. (1:24) After he received commands from the Lord's angel to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife and to call the baby Jesus, he "awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him." We see Joseph's obedience to the Lord's commands throughout the first and second chapters of Matthew. He took Mary to be his wife (as he was commanded in 1:20). He called His name Jesus (as he was commanded in 1:21). He got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night and left for Egypt (as he was commanded, 2:14). After the infanticide in Bethlehem and the death of Herod, Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel (as he was commanded, 2:20) And finally, we learn that Joseph was warned by God in a dream, and he took his family to the regions of Galilee, namely, Nazareth, which ultimately was God's perfect plan in order to fulfill prophecy about the Messiah. So Joseph did what God told him.

He was a good sleeper. Being righteous and obedient, Joseph had the perfect prescription for a good night's rest. Okay, you can call me hokey if you like, but have you ever given this much thought? Joseph had a lot of major issues going on in his life, and yet he seems to sleep soundly amid all the stress and anxiety. His betrothed is found to be with child. And how does this righteous, obedient man deal with it? He goes to sleep. And God tells him what to do. (And he does it.)

The maji had just left after God had warned them to go a different way, and what does the righteous, obedient Joseph do? Business as usual. Time for a rest. And Joseph is told in another dream to get up and flee to Egypt because Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him. Now you would think, okay, it's time to stress out. The most powerful ruler of the land is after you because he wants to kill your child. But Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. (2:14) Did I mention how obedient this righteous man was?

So Joseph remained there in Egypt, and meanwhile infanticide happens in the Bethlehem vicinity. It would be enough to keep a person on edge, especially knowing that you have the Child that is on the "most wanted" list from that region. But again, Joseph seems to be sleeping well. Because an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph and tells him to return with the family to Israel, and Joseph does just that.

He was afraid. Now, verse 22 of Chapter 2 says, "But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there." So Joseph was afraid! Finally, something I can relate to! It's good to see that he was a pretty average Joe, in some ways. And of course we all know by now what to expect: Joseph doesn't lose any sleep. No, he goes right to sleep, and God warns him in a dream, and Joseph goes where God directs him to go, and prophecy is fulfilled.

So, how about it? Was he an average Joe? Am I? If an account of my life were written, would it show that I was righteous and obedient to God's commands, and responsive to His direction even amid the most extreme circumstances? Is God willing to use me because I do not freeze with fear, nor delay in obeying, nor complain about it, but respond straight away with obedience?

This and That

Is it just me or does it feel like Christmas is next weekend or something? Everything is happening at once, the work week is full full full, and the "mail in time to get there before Christmas" date is fast approaching. (Anyone know what that date is, by the way?) I recently "emptied" out the camera, and came across some long lost moments captured in digital format.

So this post is a hodge-podge of photos--think of them as the missing blog posts from November (and maybe even October)--and I'll just write my comments beside as best I'm able.

Insects and worms

If you look carefully, you'll see a "giant spider," as Rosalind identified it (actually a praying mantis--somewhat common in our neighborhood). I think he was responsible for the "silence of the crickets" that had been populating our herb garden this summer. You might also recognize the over-sized book worm consuming a kid's mystery while sporting a rather casual demeanor. Reading is an after-school competition at our house!

The cat got caught

Our poor indoor cat. He's such an adventuresome and curious creature. There's no doubt in my mind that he would absolutely love to smell and chase and kill things in the great outdoors. But alas, his only thrill (besides chasing the ball with the bell) is to live vicariously through the smells that come from far away places (like grocery bags and packages that come from the great Northwest). You do what you can.

Yes we can!

Well that was a great segue! To the average person, these photos mean nothing. But take note: inside that kettle is a bubbling batch of sweet apple goodness made from most of the 90 lbs of apples we picked this fall. We like to call it love in a jar, but to the rest of you, it's called apple butter. Look at all those jars! (And I had done another smaller batch before this one!) Anyone who gets a jar of apple butter from us this year is dearly loved indeed, as Enoch would barely part with it last year, it was so good.

Bread Head

I think November is probably the best month of the year. Not only is it the month we celebrate our wedding anniversary, but it's also the month we go all out in the kitchen. Enoch especially enjoys making bread whenever he can, and this loaf was one specialty loaf he made that was photo-worthy. (Although it looks like a giant dinosaur claw, it's supposed to be a woven bundle of wheat, in case you're wondering.) We also made a delicious herb-stuffed turkey, with herbs from our own garden, which always makes everything taste better.

Pumpkins and Punkins

Just a couple of snapshots of a pumpkin before we roasted it in preparation for pumpkin butter (more photos of this likely to come). Hopefully we'll get it canned before the postal deadline arrives. (When is it, again?) And finally, the following recent shots of my "Punkins" after they had a little hair taken off the sides to update their look. Also, a braid comparison of Rosalind's braids from last year and this year, since she had nothing taken off.

Changing Seasons

Today's blog post is just my ramblings, so bear with me...

Some days I feel like a champion: everything works like clockwork, the kids behave and help out, the dinner meal turns out fantastic, and the house is clean by the time we sit down to eat. I could potentially impress people. Other days, I feel like the hamster on the endless wheel: no matter how hard I work at it, I can barely see any visible progress for all the effort I put forth, and the house is a mess and the kids look like they just rolled out of bed, and I even forgot to brush my teeth. It's on those days that I desperately hope that I don't have any unexpected visitors or even worse, the need to call the paramedics. One look around and the professionals might take away my "good mothering card," or worse.

So I walk the balancing act of finding what things I need to change and, by the work of the Holy Spirit, changing them or else going easy on myself because I am in a particular season of life that I know will change in time. It is times like these when I know I need the voice of experience and the encouraging words of moderation and diligence.

For instance, I can vaguely remember when I only had Julien at home, and it was sometimes difficult to get a dinner on the table and get the house clean (or at least presentable). I can remember how it seemed nearly impossible to go grocery shopping with two little ones . And now nearly eight years of experience and additional children have forced me to develop skills that I just didn't have back then. Shopping with two kids now is a breeze, and I find I'm better at it when I have a couple kids along than I am when I go by myself! Cooking has gotten easier as I have a better mind for keeping certain things on hand at all times and even sometimes making a plan and sticking to it. Housework has gotten a little easier as my kids have become more responsible and able to help.

So sometimes I look around and (depending on my energy level) I am tempted to be overwhelmed by the mess. Other times I look at the mess and think, "This is just a little mess that will clean up quickly." Still other times I don't even see the mess (until the doorbell rings unexpectedly or my husband walks through the door).

My hope is that I will continue to hone my skills and continue to improve my personal habits until I reach a point where I can feel content with myself and my home. I'm counting on the fact that one day there won't be crumbs everywhere and there will be fewer "surprise" clean up jobs and toys to trip over and have to pick up. But I also know people who miss this season of life, when the children are small, and they always say, "Enjoy it while you can because they grow up so fast." So I sometimes need to lighten up. While I don't enjoy being messy, it's sometimes a necessary part of enjoying life. And while I sometimes get tired of picking up toys, I don't want to imagine life without them around, either.

So that's the "season" I'm in right now. Christmas brings all kinds of "stuff" out of boxes and all over the counters and windows and doors. I sometimes look at the stuff and want to get rid of it because it feels like more work than seems worth investing. But at the same time, creating something beautiful and fulfilling out of a mess is one of the most rewarding feelings in life.

So now I'm going to roll up my sleeves and get to it.

Ornaments and Wreaths

The boxes have been pulled out, and the dust is getting stirred up as we begin to deck the halls for Christmas. As we read yesterday's Proverb of the day, I asked the kids to listen for any verses that might have an application for Christmas. I didn't expect to find one, but right there, in verses 8 and 9, it was unmistakable:

Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Certainly, these verses were not written with Christmas in mind! But we had Christmas decorations on our minds, and the thought of draping ornaments and such on ourselves did seem a bit silly. One of my kids made the connection of the wreath that an Olympic athlete would wear after winning an event. And that is a good connection.

Ornaments worn on the head or around the neck were worn as a reward for winning a contest of some significance. Their actual value, as in the case of a wreath, had nothing to do with their material worth, but in the "bragging rights" associated with winning the prize, and the honor that was bestowed upon the winner.

In the case of the above proverb, they (the wreath and ornaments) refer back to the instruction and teaching of a child's parents. And a child whose parents have instructed him in the word of God is indeed blessed, especially if he hears and does not forsake what he has been taught.

There may be times when such a child might feel as though the wreath and ornaments are cumbersome and weighty and make living life a little awkward. But if he hears and does not forsake, he will one day realize the great blessing and prize that such instruction has given him, and be thankful to God for such a heritage.

There is no obvious Christmas connection. But as you pass on your traditions and teach and instruct your children about Christmas, my hope is that it would be the kind of teaching and instruction that will one day grace their lives with truth and the beauty of a life set apart for the glory of God.

He Became Poor

As I think and reflect upon this time of year with Christmas approaching and with thoughts of buying gifts and spending money, it is tempting to lose sight of the profound reason why Christmas is so special. I am intentionally going to focus my thoughts on Christ during Christmas, and I hope that it will be an encouragement to you as well.

Lately I have been reading through 2 Corinthians, and this verse stood out to me this morning

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

This verse, in context, is in reference to giving financially for the sake of others. But with Christ’s example, it also refers to the spiritual riches that we receive because of Christ’s sacrificial gift to us of eternal life. For our sake, He became poor. Because of His grace, we might become spiritually rich. A little further on in this passage we read that “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Even though I am not rich by some standards, the Lord Jesus Christ has made me incredibly wealthy by His grace. And I must not be greedy with the spiritual wealth that He has blessed me with. I must be a cheerful giver. I must look for opportunities to share His wealth with others who are spiritually bankrupt and beggars as I once was. It is my sincere hope that God, by His grace, will allow me opportunities to share His riches with others this Christmas season.

TIN-November 30, 2009

Day 30: Do you have plants or floral arrangements in your house?

Four cents for each one please.

TIN-November 29, 2009

Day 29: If you missed any church service in November,

Fine yourself 10 cents for each time.

TIN-November 28, 2009

Day 28: How many dinner plates do you own?




A penny for each plate please.

TIN-November 27, 2009

Day 27: Were you a guest in someone's home yesterday?

Say thank you with a 50 cent gift.

TIN-November 26, 2009

Day 26: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Say Thank you for at least 10 blessings.

at least 5 cents each.