You know, it's hard to be a wife, mom, teacher, home maker, cook, and all the other things we do, AND be sick!! I rarely get to not feeling well, but this was marked as my week.  I don't know what it is about the heat kicking on steady for a few day, it wreaks havoc on my sinuses!!  Congestion, sneezing, coughing, headaches, soreness....okay, I guess I'm being a cry baby now. =] I do feel better though today. And today turned out to be a great day too.

I guess everything just "clicked" today. We got up at a good time....had breakfast....recited memory verses and discussed prayer requests....did chores....stayed on track with our studies.  By noon we were all in the kitchen making butter!! It was so much fun! And VERY simple. Between Briar studying the 1800's and Connor and Grace into pioneer farming, we've been reading some very good books. One gave the daily chores for the kids on a farm in the 1860's. After reading the section a few days ago about making butter, I decided to surprise the kids with our own attempt. It's very easy. The recipe calls for heavy whipping cream, a glass jar with a good lid (we actually used a tupperware container with a large mouth), some salt for taste, and enough hands and energy to shake the container for 30 minutes. lol

We filled the container about 1/3 full with cream, closed it up, and set the timer. Each of us would shake for about 2-3 minutes and pass it on to the next (me and the four kids). It was very interesting because we could see each stage through the clear container. When we did this with a churn last spring up at Conner Prairie, you can't see ofcourse what the cream is actually doing. Anyway, first it whipped up the way whipping cream does. Then it seemed to get even heavier and began to separate after about 20 minutes. At the end of the 30 minutes, you end up with the butter and buttermilk.

You then pour off the buttermilk and add a little cold water to begin "rinsing" the butter. You keep doing this and pouring it off until the water is clear. At last, you have homemade, yummy, butter! All you do is add the salt to give it a little more flavor. I was surprised, but it was really delicious!! =] And the kids were so proud of themselves!! They couldn't wait to butter some bread for daddy when he got home. lol

On another note, I have to mention that we started Bible Study this week on Tuesday mornings. The kids are doing a study on the Fruit of the Spirit, and I am facilitating a women's study on the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (the book I've talked about a few times lately).  We've ended up with a wonderful group of ladies. All ages. Some with little babies, and some with grandkids and great grand kids. I love groups like this because we all have so much to gain by building relationships across the generations. Titus 2 women at our fingertips. And young women with zeal and vigor to keep the rest of us on our toes! I love being able to minister to and with women. I pray earnestly that God will meet each one of these gals wherever she may be, and lead her to a new level of love and devotion to the Lord. I'm anxious to see how God will work among us over the next 10 weeks.

Well, we've got a calmer weekend ahead. (Thank You Lord)  I'm working on Part II of Lassoing the Will. Plan to have it posted soon.

God Bless you Friends!! And know, that if you've visited Home for Him today, you've been prayed for! Let His Son Shine!!

Deborah