Prayer Basket

I am not sure where this idea came from, but it works really well! We like to remember to pray for people, but sometimes we have SO many to pray for that we are afraid we might miss someone.

Well, no more.

All the people and special requests we have said we will pray for get written out on their own little piece of paper and put into this "basket" which we keep near our kitchen table. At meal times we pull a request out of the pile and pray specifically for that person or request. Once prayed for, the little piece of paper goes into a "holding" location until all the papers have been used up.

When the "basket" is empty we put all the papers back in and start again. Each person can draw a name or request at each mealtime, or just one name/request can be prayed for per meal ~ choose whichever system works best for your family. Another good time to use the basket would be during family devotions in the evenings. By using a system like this, everyone and everything you've pledged to pray for will be remembered! We love it!

"...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b

Adjustments ~ Following HIM

The freshness of the New Year seems to have faded. But it is never too late to assess how and why we do things the way we do. I came across two wonderful articles (linked below) as 2010 began and they both made an impression on me. I hope to go back and spend a little more time thinking through the content ~ prayerfully considering the changes HE is asking me to make.

Ann Voskamp penned this encouraging "New Year" article ~ please take the time to read and digest...such a lovely way to help in the quest of "refocusing"!

And I love what Mary Grace had to say at Books and Bairns on the subject of priorities ~ this one really "hit home".

A disciplined life is one we are called to as Chistians ~ yet, it is so easy to get "off track". Any time of the year is a good time to re-evaluate ~ not just in January! May the Lord help us each to follow HIM with all our hearts.

**Mayne Island Lighthouse ~ by Camille 2009**

Bountiful Blessings

Monday arrives and another installment of the "Thankfulness Journal" is offered. May the Lord help us all to be more aware of His Bountiful Blessings!

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation..."
Psalm 68:19a

186. Unlimited access to the Throne of Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ ~ Amazing thought!

187. Artistic Dad ~ Who put pencil to paper to create these praying hands while a young Bible School student in 1964

188. Opportunity to exercise as a family ~ at the beach no less!

189. The best husband in the world! (Calvin took this picture and really "captured" his Dad ~ love it).

190. Red Olympic Gloves! (I have a pair too...thanks Mom!)

191. Love in our home and lives...

192. Tea lights and their pretty holders

193. Calvin who brings joy (and "spice") to our lives!

194. Washable felts! :)



195. Children spontaneously doing piano duets


196. Super Glue! :)
197. One on one time with the children
198. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening"
199. Small warm hand tucked in mine ~ won't last forever!
200. Whipping wind and sting of rain on face ~ ability to feel
201. Boisterous Shoreline ~ Waves crashing
202. Blustery Day!
203. Seagulls soaring overhead ~ God's design in creation
204. Distant Auntie brought near by a phone call
205. Phone ringing ~ familiar voice on the line
206. Birth announcements
207. Crazy Squirrel running the lines today ~ his antics made me laugh
208. My little cookie making girl ~ determined to "do it all herself"!
209. Emma cheerfully asking if she could do dishes for her regular chores
210. Thankful that today's hockey injury wasn't much worse ~ elbow will heal

Many Blessings,
Camille

Answers ~ In Light of Haiti

Tomorrow I plan to reveal who has won an "Answers" magazine subscription ~ How can we, in the comfort of our homes, reconcile the terror and sorrow that those in Haiti are facing at this very moment?

In light of the recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, I would like to offer a few thoughts.

Our world is tainted with sin.

It is not the perfect world that God originally created.
We are all subject to the cruelties and ramifications of sin.

Sin brought death, disease, calamity and sorrow.

None of us is immune.

We all need the Saviour.
Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.
He came to deliver us from the bondage of sin and eternal separation from God.

Is He your Saviour?

Catastrophes such as the one just experienced in Haiti are because of the curse of sin.

The Sin I am referring to is that which was committed in the Garden of Eden by our first parents.

Adam and Eve fell.

Therefore we all fell.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
Romans 5:12

Our only hope is to flee to Jesus Christ ~ He alone can save!

Every time something dreadful happens in this world we ought to think of the Cross and the work accomplished there. Our Merciful God humbled Himself to become SIN for us that we might be forgiven and justified.

"Answers" magazine is produced by Answers in Genesis. This organization is careful to acknowledge the state of mankind without the Saviour, and the glorious hope of all those who place their trust in Christ.

I was struggling with whether it was even right to announce a winner tomorrow, but then came to the realization that it could not be more appropriate. We, as Christians, must be equipped to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. We have the greatest hope and we need to share it. This magazine has been a wonderful tool for our family to use as we seek to be a witness for our Saviour.

The world needs the Saviour.

We have the Good News.

Share your faith.

And pray for those afflicted that God might deliver them ~ not only physically, but spiritually as well.

Homemade Refried Beans

These are the beans after the soaking stage...ready to be cooked with the onions.
OH...do try them...they are so much better than anything you can get out of a tin! :)

I got this recipe from my friend Terri's blog. They are absolutely yummy! 
I altered it to allow for the proper soaking time. Pinto beans (which is the type you need) 
require about 12 hours to soak. Cover the beans with simmering water and let stand 
(away from the heat) for about 4 hours. Pour off that water and repeat.
After about four more hours repeat again. At this point you would once again drain
the water and add fresh ~ then you add in the onions and continue 
from the part in the recipe after the starred note from me...
the cooking stage. If this is not clear, please ask!


HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS

2 cups water
8 ounces dried pinto beans (about 1 1/4 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup butter
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix water, beans and onion in 2-quart saucepan. 
Cover and heat to boiling; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. 
Let stand 1 hour. **This is the original recipe with the shorter soak time...
if you use the longer soaking instructions given above you would
add the onions after your last soaking time with fresh water and begin here.**

Add just enough water to cover the beans. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. 
Cover and boil gently, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender, 
about 1-1/2 hours ~ Add water during cooking if necessary.
Mash beans ~ I use a hand blender.
Stir in butter and salt until completely absorbed. Stir in cheese until melted.

Serve with whole wheat tortillas that have been warmed 
under the broiler and add extra shredded cheese, 
diced peppers of all colors, cilantro, etc. Yummy!

**I usually double this recipe to have extras ~ 
keep in mind that I feed the equivalent of six adults in our home!

**Another tip ~ You can make up a batch and divide 
into portions to freeze for future use ~ I've had success freezing this recipe.

ENJOY!
Many Blessings, Camille

Gratefulness...

Continuing on in the journey of thankfulness ~ Grateful to God for His bountiful gifts. Joining in once again with the "Gratitude Community" in numbering the mercies He bestows. All is Grace!

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."
Psalm 100:4-5

141. Summer's gold ~ this past September

142. Pink and blue of the sunset...moments later they vanished into night
~ photo taken last week

143. The opportunity to "catch" this sunset!

144. Mummy and Emma moments
~ taken in Banff spring 2009

145. Picnics

146. A picnic spot at the Banff Springs Hotel
~ No we did not stay there! :)

147. Adventurous spirit!

148. Safety during said adventurous moment! :)

149. Amazing photo by firstborn
~ It took a few shots to get this one!

150. Mountaintop experiences ~ literally!

151. Children who have caught the "bug" and are doing a thankfulness journal!
152. Quiet shoreline ~ waves gently lapping
153. Horizon on the sea
154. Flash of pink running at the edge of the shore
155. Three young men jogging together ~ Austin, Calvin and Fraser
156. Happy faces greeting us along the promenade
157. Blogging friends
158. Great post-Christmas deals
159. Gifts stashed away for Christmas 2010!
160. Betsy's quick fix ~ free of charge! (Our van)
161. Oxford Hill
162. Empty Chocolate Boxes (no more temptation!)
163. Orthodontic Appliance for Emma
164. Braces for Austin's teeth
165. Funds to pay for Ortho treatment (see above)
166. Mild winters
167. Calm days
168. Dreams
169. Empty laundry hampers
170. Full laundry hampers ~ indication that there are precious people inhabiting this home
171. Working appliances
172. Hum of the washing machine
173. Doors loudly closing ~ little men live here
174. Velcro un-zipping...children who can do for themselves
175. Emails from Austin
176. Task lighting to illuminate my kitchen sink
177. Mountain view from kitchen windows
178. Snow capped mountains pink in the morning light
179. Furnace that faithfully circulates warm air through our home
180. Order restored
181. New schedules created
182. Time to spend with my children ~ they soon will be grown!
183. Little girl that lovingly cares for her dolls
184. Reading aloud to Emma on her bed at night...right now it's "Mary Poppins"
185. Memories

Many Blessings,
Camille

At Calvary

**Photo taken between Tsawassen and Victoria ~ on the Ferry Trip**

This hymn has been playing through my head lately and it is so beautiful.
There is so much Truth here...
May it be a blessing to your heart today!

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.

Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
At Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.

~ Refrain ~

Now I've given to Jesus everything;
Now I gladly own Him as my King;
Now my ransomed soul can only sing
Of Calvary.

~ Refrain ~

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.

~ Refrain ~

William R. Newell (1868-1956)

Organizing Life!

Want to know what's been going on in our school this week?

An overhaul!

Here are the new schedules ready to be put to use!

Oh dear me...how much more we get accomplished in our home when we have a list and a plan. I suppose we are all similar in that respect. After all, God is a God of ORDER. I have found that I am simply unable to function efficiently WITHOUT a set schedule.

Having said all the above, I DO appreciate that there are as many variations on homeschool as there are homeschooling families...PLEASE DO NOT feel as though you have to do it this way! God has us all in different SEASONS of life as well ~ keep in mind that I do not have a nursing baby anymore...'nuff said! Some days I wish I was more of a "relaxed" kind of girl, but I was not created that way...I find that STRESSFUL!! ;-)

During the fall semester the boys were following a daily routine and list of duties, but that system was in need of tweaking ~ THESE new schedules are the result. I do realize that even those of us who do best in a set routine must be flexible to allow LIFE to happen ~ After nearly four years of doing this, I am at least grasping the wisdom of that! Ultimately, God is in control of ALL things...and that includes THE SCHEDULE! :)

Are you a "schedule" Mum ~ or do you like to take life as it comes?

The Piano

I grew up playing the piano and took lessons most of my school years. When we got married I did not have a piano ~ it was a luxury we could not afford! It was ten years before a piano came into our home...a thirty year old gift from the Lord. I was expecting Emma at the time. The evenings were the only times I had to devote to playing. I was rusty ~ still am ~ but determined to learn some new music. Pachelbel's "Canon in D" was the piece I chose to devote time to learning. I loboured over it evening after evening and learned most of it during the last six months of my pregnancy with Emma.

One day when she was still a newborn we were home together ~ just the two of us.

She was fussy.

I rolled her bassinette over to the piano. "Canon in D" was the piece I chose to play. It brought tears to my eyes to watch her visibly relax and calm down. It was soothing to her! If you ask her today she will tell you her favourite music is "Canon in D" ~ how precious is that?

Real Foods Diet ~ Healthy Eating!

Lindsay over at Passionate Homemaking has done a fabulous job of breaking down the steps toward more healthy ways of eating and preparing food. If you click on the link provided you will find her article...please go and see if there is even one thing you might change to encourage better health for you and your family!

As with anything...do it in baby steps and NEVER try to accomplish it all in one fell swoop. Even one small change per month would make a HUGE difference at the end of only one year!

**UPDATE ~ I have written a more in-depth article on this subject in response to J's request in the comment section of this post. Healthy Changes is the name of the post ~ click on the title to get yourself over there.

Happy Eating! :)

Thank You Notes ~ A Lost Art?

Little things mean alot ~ Everyone loves to receive a "thank you" note!

Our children are old enough to write a little note to each one
who kindly gave them a gift this past Christmas.
When they were little they would colour a picture and I would write the note for them.
We have found that through this exercise the children learn
something of the art of appreciation.

I am sure many of you do the same thing.
 Whatever form it takes I can guarantee it will be well received!

Everything is so fast paced in the world these days ~
wouldn't we all benefit from slowing down and taking notice of the little
(and not so little) things that make life so special?
Every one involved benefits from building relationships and sharing love along the way.

By God's Grace (and it IS His Grace ~ the Source of anything good)
we are seeking to teach our children to value those things that really matter.

The REAL things.

Practicing Thankfulness

It has been a blessing to join in with the "Gratitude Community" in giving thanks for all things. Since beginning this journal of thankfulness I have found that I am noticing the "little" things more and consciously thanking the ONE Who gives all things richly to enjoy! Praise HIM from Whom all blessings flow!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
James 1:17

And the numbering of gifts continues...will you join us?

101. The promise of spring and the seasons...our cherry tree last spring! :)

102. My Fraser ~ Number 6 lining up a shot (Photo by Calvin!)

103. Date with hubby...a quick walk and...

104. ...Starbuck's ~ Chai Tea Latte with Vanilla...mmmm!

105. Thankful that "Old Betsy" (our van) was "fix-able"
106. Betsy was mended with very little inconvenience
107. We can cross the line for gasoline...blessings! :)
108. Thankful for "Nexus"...quick border crossing pass
109. Hard working husband
110. Eyes to see with
111. Ears to hear with
112. Mind to think with
113. Children that make a mess
114. Full tummies
115. New camera to play with
116. Beach to walk at
117. Free parking!
118. Online shopping
119. Money to buy books
120. God's Light...to illuminate my heart
121. Perspective
122. Trials and troubles...they drive me to my knees
123. Work for the children
124. Old-fashioned neighbourhood
125. Children for my children to play with
126. Bikes to ride
127. Woods to ride in
128. City conveniences nearby
129. Protected little quiet street to live on
130. A home to call our own
131. God's mercy in not stripping from us the many blessings we took forgranted
132. Not getting what I deserve
133. Getting what I don't deserve
134. Taste buds ~ As my hubby says...God didn't have to give us any! :)
135. Buddy (the neighbour's dog)
136. Amazing neighbours
137. Dog walking jobs
138. Paper route
139. Character building experiences for the children
140. Laptop

Many Blessings,
Camille

Chocolate Log Roll with Hot Butter Sauce

Oh dear me!
This is such a dangerously rich dessert ~ 
I only make it a few times a year.
My Dad always requests it for his birthday ~
Traditions like this one die hard! :)

It is such an elegant looking cake ~ but really not difficult to make.
I have provided step-by-step pictures 
to walk you through the process.
You can easily get eight servings out of one recipe ~ let me know what you think!

The yummy cake ready to be eaten!

The chocolate and eggs whites...fold together carefully.

Spread into prepared pan with spatula...

Sprinkle parchment paper with icing (powdered) sugar.

Fresh from the oven...

Turn immediately onto prepared parchment paper.

Roll up and place on wire rack to cool.

When it's completely cool, unroll and spread with whipped cream.

Roll it up again and place on serving plate.

Sprinkle with more icing (powdered)sugar...

Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
Make the hot butter sauce about 45 minutes before you require it.

Chocolate Log Roll

Separate 5 eggs and whip the whites until stiff.
Set aside.

Blend 5 egg yolks with 3/4 cup icing sugar.
Add 2 heading Tablespoons cocoa powder and 
1 Tbsp and a wee bit more flour.
Blend together well.

Fold in 5 whipped egg whites ~ add in a pinch of salt.

Grease jelly roll pan, then line with parchment paper and grease again...make sure you do this well...
or it will stick! Spread mixture into pepared pan.

Bake 425* F for 10 minutes.

Turn out onto parchment paper heavily sprinkled with icing sugar.
Roll up width-wise and cool on wire rack.
When cool, unroll and spread with 2 cups (before whipping) whipped cream and re-roll.

Place on serving plate and sprinkle with icing sugar.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Just prior to serving make the hot butter sauce...slice and pour sauce on individual servings.

~ Hot Butter Sauce ~

1/2 cup butter
1 cup icing sugar

Mix together and heat in a double boiler until melted.
Boil some water and crack an egg into a mug.
Whip the egg with a fork as you pour 2 Tbsp boiling water into it. 

(This helps to prevent curdling when you add it to the hot butter and sugar mixture).

Using a whisk stir the butter and icing sugar 
as you add in the beaten egg.
Continue to stir and simmer 1/2 hour stirring frequently.
Pour over individual slices of cake immediately before serving.

ENJOY!

A Christmas Story

In our home Christmas Morning is when gifts are opened. The children are allowed to open their stockings (to buy Mum and Dad some time) at a specified time and not before. :) In past years we have had to wake Emma up (she is one that needs her sleep)...so we were not prepared for what transpired this year!

Emma does not have a digital clock in her room...she was excited (obviously)...and was awake in the wee hours of the morning. When her Daddy found her it was 4:40 AM and she had opened everything in her stocking and was roaming the house wondering why no one else was up! Apparently she had turned on all the Christmas lights in the house ~ tree and all. She was told it was NOT morning yet and was tucked back into bed. THAT's where we found her...still asleep when the rest of the house was stirring just after 8:00! A great Christmas memory for sure!

This picture of Emma was taken by her big brother Calvin ~ she was thrilled with her victorian doll carriage...the only thing she really wanted. :)

Christmas Eve 2009

Four excited kids heading off to bed!

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year ~ From our home to yours!

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins."

Matthew 1:21

Merry Christmas!

May the Lord richly bless each of you this CHRISTmas and throughout the coming year. My prayer is that every one of you would KNOW the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and that HE would be very real and precious in your lives.

I would like to share a lovely hymn...I think it beautifully sums up the real reason for CHRISTmas!

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the Everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th'Incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Come, desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Sentimental Decorations

We have some sentimental decorations around our home that have a special place year after year. This snow-family was purchased quite a few years ago when the children were very little and they delight in it still.

When you enter our home the banister leading up the stairs is always decorated the same way...I am a creature of habit and traditions. My little Emma nearly begged me to get these decorations up as soon as the tree was done. She has taken it upon herself to plug in all the lights each morning...such a little homemaker!

This little candle has a great history! It was about 20 years ago it made its first appearance. We were not yet married and Howie bought it for a date we had one evening at my parents home. We lit it and enjoyed its light for only a few minutes...decorative candles are not really meant to be burned. :) Since then I take it out every year...it now has a tea light candle in its hat...very happy memories indeed!

This tree topper angel was bought for our first married Christmas...we can't bear to put anything else at the top of our tree!

A decoration lovingly made by my (at the time) ten-year-old Austin...it was not a school project ~ just something he created at home for me! :)

These ornaments are precious because they were made by the boys when they were in grade one in the little local Christian school.

Fraser's...

Calvin's...

Austin's...